The War for Freedom:
(Colossians 2:13-15):
“This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.” (Elmer Davis - WWII Director of the United States Office of War)
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“You will never know how much it has cost my generation to preserve your freedom.” John Quincy Adams
War Time U.S. Military Deaths (Department of Defense & Department of V.A.)
- Revolutionary War 4,435
- Civil War 498,332
- World War I 116,516
- World War II 405,398
- Korean War 52,246
- Vietnam War 90,220
- Persian Gulf War 1,565
- Global War on Terrorism 6,852
From before time, there has been an ongoing battle between good and evil, between God and Satan in the decisive battle for the war for freedom.
Battle Plans of Satan
Satan is the leader of the kingdom of evil that has turned our world into a sin-infested, crazy world. (…the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. - 1 John 5:19)
- The Deceiver’s Plan
Eve → But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:3)
- Satan’s Target - Mind
- Satan’s Weapon – Lies
- Satan’s Purpose – Ignorant of God’s Word
- The Destroyer’s Plan
Job → The Lord said to Satan, “Very well, then, he (Job) is in your hands; but you must spare his life.” (Job 2:6)
- Satan’s Target - Body
- Satan’s Weapon – Suffering
- Satan’s Purpose – Impatient of God’s Work
- The Director’s Plan
David → Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. (2 Corinthians 7:1)
- Satan’s Target – Will
- Satan’s Weapon – Pride
- Satan’s Purpose – Independent of God’s Will
Battle Plan of God
The battle plan of God can be summed up in one word – Jesus.
One of the prime objectives of Jesus’ coming was to destroy the devil’s work.
…The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8b)
- Suffering on the Cross as a Savior
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. (1 Peter 2:24)
The power to escape the suffering on the cross was available to Jesus. But love held the Savior to the cross.
- Dying on the Cross as a Conqueror
Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil (Hebrews 2:14)
Through Jesus suffering and death, He dealt the death blow to Satan and his followers. By His resurrection, He served notice that their doom is sure.
- Rising from the Dead as a Victor
“Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 15:54b-56)
The resurrection of Jesus Christ is God’s great triumph over death, sin and Satan’s power. Jesus Christ rose from the dead as a victor, a champion who lives forever to reign with His saints.
- Ascending to Heaven as a Triumphant Intercessor
Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. (Romans 8:34)
Jesus is always pleading our case before the Father, like a defense lawyer on our behalf. His intercession for us is stronger that Satan’s accusation against us.
Battle Outcome
Because of the greatest sacrifice ever in battle, victory was won over the armies of darkness.
And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him. (Colossians 2:13-15)
- Alive in Christ (v. 13)
- Free in Christ (v. 14)
- Victorious in Christ (v. 15)
“Jesus came into the world as a man to die upon the cross to bear the penalty of our sin. All of our sinfulness was placed on Him. God in His mercy accepts the atoning death of His Son as payment for our sins–past, present, and future. We are justified (proclaimed not guilty) in the eyes of God because Jesus died in our place. Therefore, we are free from sin’s power. We are free to be all that God has planned for us to be.” (Charles Stanley)
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:1-2)
Making It Personal:
- How have you responded to the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ on your behalf? Are you depending on Him as Savior and surrendered to Him as Lord?
- How are you using the freedom that you have in Christ?
- What adjustments do you need to make to more gratefully use the freedoms and opportunities that you have been entrusted with by God?