I recently watched the movie, LUTHER, and was reminded afresh of the war in the spiritual world. Martin Luther, an imperfect man, came to a life-changing realization: CHRIST IS EVERYTHING. No wonder chaos broke out. No wonder a price was put on Luther’s head. No wonder a fire blazed across the world.
It is the truth of Christ that causes the devil to rage and the kingdoms of this world to fight. Christ demands our kingdoms fall… and how we love our kingdoms. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day would not entertain the thought of giving up control. No evidence of miracles, knowledge of Scripture, or insight into the heart of God would change their minds. “This man must be destroyed or our whole world will change!” So, without knowing his prophetic message, the high priest, Caiaphas, declared, “You do not realize that it is better for you that one man die for the people than that the whole nation perish.” (see John 11:45-53)
This same spirit opposed Luther. “If people embrace this man’s preaching about indulgences, we’ll lose our income! If the common man reads Scripture in his own language, we’ll lose control!” The same spirit is at work in many parts of China today, where preaching from the book of Revelation is outlawed, because a King higher than any world government is proclaimed to have supreme authority. The same spirit creates havoc when a child of God declares truth that may not line up with man’s teaching within a denomination. James revealed the weapon most often used in our land: “The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.”
So if the battle is not against flesh and blood, what do the forces of evil in heavenly realms most fear? Is it not the message of Christ? “I have come that they might have life, and have it more abundantly!” “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.” The Law cannot save… “For it is by grace that you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” Put aside man’s traditions and run to Jesus. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. And when the devil raises his ugly head, tell him you will not fear… for your Redeemer lives.
In a powerful scene in the movie, Martin Luther, declared the truth that echoes throughout eternity. “If we truly believe that Christ is our Savior, then we have a God of love! And to see in faith is to look upon His friendly heart. So when the devil throws your sins in your face and declares that you deserve death and Hell, say this: “I admit I deserve death and Hell, what of it? For I know One who suffered and made satisfaction in my behalf. His name is Jesus Christ, Son of God, and where He is there I shall be also!”
“I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes – I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” Job 19:25-27