Healing From Forgiveness - Pt 2

I have many hobbies taken up over the years. One of those is woodworking. There are many projects that I have finished and proudly displayed in our home. One of those is an antique finished cabinet made for Mary’s collection of TY Beanie Babies. Those who have seen it often lavish compliments on the workmanship and design. And, I am very grateful for their kind remarks. However, having built it myself, I know where all the flaws are located. Especially that one little corner that had to be puttied and filled to make up for the mistake of cutting the wood just a little short! Even when people marvel at this “masterpiece” I can’t help but remember the flawed corner. I think there is an important analogy here: Many people have mistakes in their lives that continue to come to the forefront of their mind. All of us have past stains or blemishes that remind us that we’re imperfect people. But, like two rough-cuts that seem to nullify an otherwise great job, past sin, even though confessed and forgiven, can haunt the Christian and overshadow an otherwise joyful and abundant life in Jesus Christ. It is one of Satan’s most common weapons. Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him. And I heard a loud voice in heaven, saying, “Now the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Christ have come, for the accuser of our brothers has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death. (Revelation 12:7-11 ESV). Yesterday we saw in Zechariah, chapter 3, a very tender and encouraging passage. It looked at the very real strategy of the Devil to bring up "old business" in our lives and God’s immediate defense on our behalf. Today, I hope that we can learn how to reflect on the past, but not dwell there. In today’s verses, Satan is the "accuser of the brethren." That’s why he’s called "the Devil." The title means "one who accuses or opposes." His chief work in the life of the Christian is to remind us of past failure. He strives to overwhelm us with memories of sin. He puts us on the witness stand and then submits records and evidence to intimidate us. And, when the devil reminds us of that thing we did two years ago, or that habit that we’re still hoping to overcome or those bad decisions we made before we knew Jesus Chris. When the finger of opposition is put in our face, our spiritual momentum wanes. All kinds of feelings well up within us. We experience guilt, that painful sense that we’re unclean and unforgiven. Next come questions of doubt. Does God really love me? Is the cross big enough for my sin? Then comes fear. Maybe I’m not saved. God must be really angry with me. I’ve lost my salvation. Finally comes hopelessness, a discouraging sense of defeat. You and I know that, just like the Samaritan opposition of Zechariah’s day halted the building of God’s spiritual house in Jerusalem, so Satanic opposition can halt the building and growth of spiritual people today. Then, like today, the Lord comes to our defense. The Devil’s courtroom is not fair because he never presents all of the facts. His evidence is always weighted for the prosecution. Our defense rests in God’s grace in choosing to adopt us into His family, extending all the privileges and rights of true heirs to His Kingdom. We are fully forgiven and nothing can change that truth. In the next three days we’ll look in depth at some practical truths to use in answering the accusations of the devil. They are first, we have been chosen by grace; second, we have been cleansed of sin; and, third, we have been clothed with righteousness. Today, rest in His unchanging grace and tell the devil to take a hike!