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moreofHim
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Joined: 2003/10/15
Posts: 1632


 Why Doesn't The Lord Annihilate Satan?

Why Doesn't The Lord Annihilate Satan?


Do you ever wonder why the Lord does not just romove satan altogether from this world? He has absolute power to annihilate satan and all his demons, but why does He refrain?

To manifest more clearly His superior beauty and worth. Let me explain in the words of John Piper:

"If Christ obliterated all devils and Demons now (which He could do), His sheer power would be seen as glorious- but His superior beauty and worth would not shine as brightly as WHEN HUMANS RENOUNCE THE PROMISES OF SATAN AND TAKE PLEASURE IN THE GREATER GLORY OF CHRIST."

Christ must have a very high stake in the ongoing existence of satan, because, even though He has the right and power to annihilate him now, He defeats him in stages at the cost of His own life. "The Son of God appeared for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil" (1John 3:8) But HOW did He do this? "...that through DEATH He might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil." In other words, Christ became human so that He could die, and by dieing "destroy" the devil."

Christ has triumphed over him, not by putting him out of existence, but by letting him live and watch while millions of saints find forgiveness for their sins and turn their back on satan because of the greater glory of the forgiveness of Christ.

If God had simply terminated satan, then it would not have been so clear that God is BOTH stronger and infinitely MORE TO BE DESIRED than satan. God wills for his glory to shine forth not only through acts of physical power, but also through acts of moral and spiritual power that display the beauty of His grace with lavish colors. To take sinners out of satan's hands by virtue of Christ's sin-bearing sacrifice and His law-fulfilling obedience to the Father was a more glorious victory than mere annihilation of the enemy.


Heavenly Father, we are sobered that you would regard the glory of Your Son so highly that it would be worth the ongoing existence of satan to make it fully known. We are ashamed that we have murmured about the battles of life when we should have made EVERY EFFORT TO MAGNIFY YOUR CHIRST-EXALTING REASONS for giving the enemy so much leash. Forgive us for failing to see your holy purposes. And now, O God, by the blood of you Son, give us victory over satan. Grant us to see and savor the SUPERIOR worth of Christ. Let us shame satan by making much of Jesus. Grant us to GLORY IN THE WORK OF THE CROSS. Turn every evil design of the devil into sanctifying schemes of love. Deliver us from His deceptions. Keep the beauty of Christ clear in the eyes of our hearts. Make us instruments of Satan's defeat until you come and slay him by the breath of your mouth. In Your name we pray, amen."

~John Piper- "Seeing And Savoring Jesus Christ"


I hope that this may give some believers a proper perspective on the works and power of the enemy. In a believer's life- he has none!


In His perfect love, Chanin


_________________
Chanin

 2004/2/9 5:06Profile
Clutch
Member



Joined: 2003/11/10
Posts: 202
Oak Ridge, Tennessee

 Re: Why Doesn't The Lord Annihilate Satan?

"Make us instruments of Satan's defeat until you come and slay him by the breath of your mouth."

P.S. We don't know who left this bottle of SCOPE, but I think her initials are Chanin.
Clutch :-D


_________________
Howard McNeill

 2004/2/9 14:36Profile





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