PERSPECTIVE

Don Atkin

FACING DEATH – Part 5

One of the most binding, debilitating, devil-accessing issues in a believer’s life is the fear of death.  We are called upon to fear not, to have faith in God.

Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through the fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. – Hebrews 2:14-15.

The devil has the power of death, and Jesus has destroyed him. 

Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it (the cross). – Colossians 2:15.

Demons flee as we find our place in Him and in His resurrection life ~ as the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.  We “morph” from glory to glory, from faith to faith, and from strength to strength, as our new creation life in Christ is formed in us.

The morphing process is hindered whenever we cling to our old life, old habits, and old patterns in the face of the greater revelation of Christ in us, the hope of glory.  We excel in spiritual growth and development by embracing the cross in choices we make, so that we may continually rise up to walk in newness of life.

The farther we go living in love, the greater our confidence becomes ~ confidence in our eternal standing with the God of love.  Flooded by His love, we find grace to be whom we are in Him, and grace to do what we see Him doing.  (That’s what sons do!)

This is the love-grace that equips us to face our enemies in every realm, because we love not our lives to the death.

This depth of love can only be found in the cross.  First His.  Then ours.  We can faithfully follow the Pattern Son into life, and into death . . . into death, and into life.

Fear not those who can kill the body.

Death has no sting; the grave has no victory.

Pray accordingly for the brethren who are enduring persecution. 

Pray that their faith fails not.