SEEKING JESUS

Jesus is Empowered In Jesus we are Prepared for Battle

We can do anything when the power of God is supporting us. On the other hand we can do nothing without it. You may be wondering how it would be possible for anyone to do evil if in fact these statements were true. The answer is relatively straight forward. It is God’s will to give us choice. He gives us all the ability to choose the path that we walk in life. He gives us the ability to choose between good and evil, the light or the darkness, love or hate, and save a life or to kill. In fact, choice is the reason that we are here on this earth. Our choices will ultimately determine where we spend our eternity, with God or the devil. 

This section is directed toward the people who choose to do God’s will. Your choices will require that you confront evil in ways similar to the way that Jesus did. It is certainly important for you to make your choices based on the leadings of the Holy Spirit. Knowing that your steps are orderd by the Lord will ensure that the support and empowerment of the Lord will be with you. Of course this all takes time in prayer as we discussed in our postings the Holy Place. Taking on the forces of evil without God’s direction is not recommended. I offer the following scripture as an example:

Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil spirits, saying, “We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches.” Also there were seven sons of Sceva, a Jewish chief priest, who did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, “Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?” Then the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. (Acts 19:13 – 16) 

We need the power of God that comes by way of the Holy Spirit to successfully engage in spiritual warfare. The passage that follows identifies how Jesus was empowered by the Holy Spirit:

It came to pass in those days that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And immediately, coming up from the water, He saw the heavens parting and the Spirit descending upon Him like a dove. Then a voice came from heaven, “You are My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Mark 1:9-11

In being baptized, the identity of Jesus is reviealed (the Son of God) and therefore His mission is confirmed. He is empowered tor the battle with Satan that will comense immediately. In our next posting we will find that the Holy Spirit will lead Jesus into the wilderness where He will be tested for 40 days and nights.