"By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." (Hebrews 10:10 KJV)

"But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down on the right hand of God;" (Hebrews 10:12 KJV)

Not only did Jesus die for all people, but for all sin. Not only did Jesus die for the sins committed before our salvation, but for our sins forever. Remember, we are still flesh and blood and we still sin. We won't be incapable of sin until the Rapture:

"Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him..." (1 John 3:2 KJV)

In order to know why this happened, we must know our enemy:

"...the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:" (Ephesians 2:2 KJV)

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." (Ephesians 6:12 KJV)

It is through the evil powers of Satan that these tragic events occur. Since Adam's fall in the garden of Eden, God has relegated the earth and its' inhabitants to Satan's control, but his power is limited to only what God allows him to do, just as He limited the evil one's actions in Job's life:

"And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life." (Job 2:6 KJV)

Satan enjoys limited control over our individual lives if we do not keep him at bay. The Bible is specific as to what we must do to withstand his influences:

"Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." (Ephesians 6:11 KJV)

Bible commentators Jamieson, Fausset and Brown say this of the born-again Christian's fight against Satan: "Believers have once for all overcome him; but on the ground of this fundamental victory gained over him, they are ever again to fight against and overcome him..." In other words, our fight with evil is a continual process, never-ending until the Rapture of the Church.

It's not going to get easier to persevere as the Rapture draws near, it's going to get more difficult:

"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." (2 Timothy 3:1 KJV)

"...seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived." (2 Timothy 3:13 KJV)

I long for the Lord Jesus to come and take us Home. I want to see both my brothers again, but I especially want to be with Him. So until He comes, put on your armor...FIGHT'S ON!

"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses." (1 Timothy 6:12 KJV)

Keith

06-10-2006