Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed. 1 Peter 2:24

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

A friend recently wrote that less words are more. Do this picture and verses speak to you for themselves? I don’t know. I have struggled and agonized over writing about it and repeatedly asked for the Holy Spirit’s help, saying, “Lord, only You can write truth about You” and “Why am I even trying? “If He did help, perhaps a line or word below will speak to you or someone somewhere in cyber-land.

I painted the forces swirling around this cross while thinking that Jesus was not crucified by men but by principalities and powers that were at work through men who wanted to maintain their control, power and influence by force.

Principalities and powers are invisible spiritual forces that will, if agreed with, work through us and our cultures and traditions. They seek to dominate all God given institutions and spheres of authority—family, religion, government, education, finance and commerce.

Ungodly principalities and powers serve satan’s thirst for preeminence and worship. They lie, steal and kill to implement his desire for power and control over people groups and nations.

By contrast, Jesus and His Father God speak truth; they are givers of life, not takers; they do not force or dominate. They do not demand worship but invite it. They do not bind men and women but set them free to worship and serve a loving Father in Heaven.

Many of the same principalities and powers that crucified Jesus are at work today. Fortunately for all of mankind, Jesus overcame every single one of them. Because He never-ever sought to live apart from God and He never-ever failed in His obedience of faith, hope and love toward His Heavenly Father, death could not hold Him or stop the power of His lovingkindness and mercy.

When, after three days in the tomb, Jesus arose from the dead and when, after forty days of unexpected visits and conversation, He had reassured His disciples that He really truly was alive again, and when, one hundred and twenty days after His followers saw Him ascend to Heaven, He gave His Holy Spirit to His followers, He proved that His claims to be God are forever true. Just as His miracles had attested to His divinity and power over the world, the flesh and the devil during His life in the flesh, the risen Christ again gave evidence that His power and authority over all ungodly forces is real and continuing.

Yes, now the battle between the Kingdom of God and satan’s kingdom of darkness carries on in the spirits, souls and bodies of men and women. Satan continues to rob, kill, maim, destroy and deceive; he spreads disorder, death, darkness and despair wherever he can. He continues his attempts to possess men’s souls.

Jesus continues to love and forgive, to heal and deliver, to help and sustain. He gives His Holy Spirit to all who believe in Him and do His will. He guides men into truth and gives them supernatural love, joy peace, patience, goodness, kindness and self-control  (See Galatians 5:22). He restores and rebuilds.

Jesus’ true followers, by the power of His indwelling Spirit, continue to oppose ungodly principalities and powers. Like their Lord, they choose good works, humility and truth over pride and deception. They forgive men and women who blindly seek to control and gain or maintain earthly power and influence by intimidation and force. If you think this is foolish weakness, then do not read on, the enduring strength and truth of God ‘s message of loving-kindness is not for you.

But for the humble, the broken, the lost and lonely, the empty hearted and seeking, please do know that if we truly ask, Jesus will come to us and meet us in our place of need. God will fully forgive us for ignoring Him and knowingly or unknowingly agreeing with the principalities and powers that have allured us. He will set us on the path to overcoming; He will set us free from the restless self-seeking and self-pity of every quest for self— self-fulfillment, self-love, self-confidence, self-righteousness, self-admiration,  self-achievement and self-esteem.  As we learn to live in full  harmony with Father-God, and Jesus and the Holy Spirit, they will deliver us from fear, anxiety, confusion and every desire for power over others.  For Jesus forgives us just as He forgave the men who crucified Him when He cried out from the cross,

Father, Forgive them, for they know not what they do.
                                                     Luke 23:34 NIV.

And as we continue to follow Jesus and do His will, the Holy Spirit will deliver us from sin as fully as He delivered Jesus from death.

May all who read this receive His gift of forgiveness, peace, and mercy. May we all ask for and seek His Holy Spirit. May the very life of Jesus come to live in us, grow to maturity in us, and rise to overcome in us.  May Christ be fully formed in us and give us eternal life.        Trust Him.

 

 

 

 

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• Trees