This time Satan himself is locked up and held tight. His
power is virtually extinguished. We can see that when Jesus converts someone,
especially if he or she was mired deep in sin and misery. For example, when a
drunk comes to Christ, he will over time exchange the temporal joy of drinking
for the deep joy of knowing Christ. Over time the chains of alcohol loosen and
fall off. The power of Satan is vanquished and the prisoner is set free.
In times past, we’ve seen great revivals in the church.
People from all walks of life have embraced the Gospel and lived new and
powerful lives. They realize they are loved deeply by the God they once hated
and that reality changes entire communities.
What is the chain that holds Satan fast?
One commentary submits that it is the Word of God. Truth has
a way of setting us all free if we’ll take it to heart. Acting on good
information changes things. You find confidence you never had. You feel the
freedom deep inside and it liberates your actions. You might even find that
what once frightened and disturbed you no longer does.
But sooner or later, Satan is let out.
Is this a bad thing for the Church?
Your first answer might be “Yes.” You say that because you
know that even though all the power of the devil is conquered in Christ, we’re
all still human beings and subject to temptations. Maybe they’re different than
they were, but they are still a factor that can lead to disaster.
You know that because you’re free, you can choose not only
to be good and righteous, but you can also choose to sin in the first degree.
Jeremiah 17:9 testifies that sin remains. It’s like that thorn in the flesh
Paul had. Jesus has won, but the crouching power of sin keeps you humbly
reliant on God’s power to overcome it.
So, the answer is “No.” It’s never a bad thing for the
Church to realize that it is flawed and weak. It’s Christ that is the Rock, not
us. We rely on Him for salvation from our sins; we also depend on Him for grace
to navigate through life.
His grace is sufficient no matter how fiery the devil’s
darts may be.
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