GROWING IN CHRIST Lesson 5 for November 3, 2012

The Bible invites us to grow in Christ “till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ” (Ephesians 4:13) Although this growth involves an inner battle between the old and new nature of the believer, there are also external powers involved in this process. Knowing which powers are involved and how they can defend or attack us will help us in our spiritual growth.

THE ONE DEFENDING US: JESUS Since we are sinners we are slaves of sin and we are sentenced to death; we are unable to gain freedom by ourselves. We need God to free us from sin just like He freed the people of Israel from Egypt. Jesus bought our freedom; He redeemed us from sin by His blood. He took our place, sacrificing Himself in our behalf, suffering our fate for us so that we don’t have to suffer it ourselves.

“knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot” (1 Peter 1:18-19) “Even when we were under the control of a cruel master, even when the prince of darkness ruled our spirits, the Lord Jesus Christ paid the ransom price of His own blood for us. You have been bought with a price, even with the precious blood of Christ; you are His property, therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s” E.G.W. (That I may know Him, February 22)

FREEDOM FOR THE CHRISTIAN “For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness” (Romans 6:20) If we serve the sin we are free to sin. We are free to destroy ourselves, free to die. “And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness” (Romans 6:18) If we serve the justice we are free from sin. We are free to grow in Christ, free to live. True freedom doesn’t mean not having a master, but choosing the right master. “Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed” (John 8:34-36)

THE POWERS ATTACKING US “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12) Our fight is not against men but against spirits and powers that are far more superior to men in intelligence and in perverted astuteness. The satanic forces are ready to fight in open rebellion against God and His children (see SDA Bible Commentary, on Ephesians 6:12) PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS Supernatural powers that try to dominate men for evil. RULERS OF THE DARKNESS OF THIS AGE Individual spirits that have certain authority over the world. They are demons that act directly in the earthly governors (Daniel 10:13) SPIRITUAL HOSTS OF WICKEDNESS IN THE HEAVENLY PLACES The fallen angels. The expression “heavenly places” means the dwelling place of the angelic powers.

MORE POWERS ATTACKING US Some of other “powers” that may prevent us from being freed and fully growing in Christ may be: Wrong philosophical principles. Wrong religious systems. Work, political or economic pressure. Fearing the future. The requirements of life. Society. Traditions. “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ” (Colossians 2:8)

How can we be sure of our victory over Satan and his angels? “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:37-39) How can we be sure of our victory over Satan and his angels? “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2:15) Disarmed. According to the Greek term, Jesus “undressed” or “disarmed” the devil and his angels. There is no satanic weapon strong enough that Jesus cannot protect us from it. Exposed. The true character of Lucifer was exposed at the cross. He is the “murderer from the beginning” (John 8:44) Defeated. Jesus has overcome over Satan and his angels. His victory is our victory.

“The power and malice of Satan and his host might justly alarm us were it not that we may find shelter and deliverance in the superior power of our Redeemer. We carefully secure our houses with bolts and locks to protect our property and our lives from evil men; but we seldom think of the evil angels who are constantly seeking access to us, and against whose attacks we have, in our own strength, no method of defense. If permitted, they can distract our minds, disorder and torment our bodies, destroy our possessions and our lives. Their only delight is in misery and destruction. Fearful is the condition of those who resist the divine claims and yield to Satan’s temptations, until God gives them up to the control of evil spirits. But those who follow Christ are ever safe under His watchcare. Angels that excel in strength are sent from heaven to protect them. The wicked one cannot break through the guard which God has stationed about His people” E.G.W. (The Great Controversy, cp. 31, pg. 571)