A TALE OF TWO TEMPLATES...WHICH WILL YOU CHOOSE ?

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT SATAN IS REAL ? If we look at today’s surveys and analysis from a variety of research organizations ( Barna Group, etc.) the number is truly astounding. About 1 in 3 Christians believe that Satan is a real, living being. Two Thirds believe that Satan is simply a “Symbolic Figure.” Within the many Christian denominations, various regions, and levels of religious engagement, the percentages vary Widely ! Mainline Christians ( Primarily the many Protestant denominations that lean toward “moderate or liberal stances on salvation, and an emphasis that leans into Social Justice).survey in at around 36%. Interestingly, Catholics vary widely, surveying a wide range of 16% to 67%. Perhaps the most interesting number comes from those who believe one is “Born Again” through Jesus Christ and the Gospel. The Christians in this group poll in at 86% ! While the numbers are indeed Astounding, perhaps even more astounding or “concerning” is the big question that one must Meditate On. WHY ? WHAT IS IT IN EACH OF US WHO DEFINE OURSELVES AS “CHRISTIANS” THAT ALLOWS FOR SUCH A WIDE AND DIVERSE UNDERSTANDING ??? Scripture is actually Very Clear on this subject…IF you believe Scripture is The Word Of God. TRUE. LITERAL. WITHOUT ERROR. It is the very FOUNDATION that we must build our lives upon, with a Rock Solid Understanding of EXACTLY WHO JESUS IS, AND THE EXACT TRUTH AND MEANING FOR WHAT HE SAID AND STILL PROCLAIMS TO THOSE WHO FOLLOW HIM AND KNOW HIM ! Not some “character” from a book, but A LIVING GOD, SAVIOR, LORD, AND KING ! Personally, I absolutely believe satan is real. Personally, I believe in the TRUTH that Jesus Spoke ! Jesus made great use of Parables to give His Disciples and those who would listen in the crowd many, many examples through real life interactions HOW TO UNDERSTAND AND KNOW GOD”S VIEWPOINTS AND WAYS. One might say these were symbolic examples for us to contemplate and discern Wisdom and Knowledge FROM. JESUS ALSO SPOKE ABSOLUTE TRUTHS ! These things were ‘TRUTH” in Action. Does it make sense that JESUS encountered satan in the wilderness to be “tempted” as a man, just for symbolic effect ? NO, HE WAS TEMPTED AND ENCOUNTERED SATAN THAT WE MIGHT SEE THE POWER OF JESUS TO OVERCOME HIM, and in JESUS, we have that power as well ! Have you given thought to the things that JESUS PROCLAIMED ? Do you believe they are REAL ? Or are they just “symbolic” ?

“ TRULY, TRULY, I SAY TO YOU, UNLESS ONE IS BORN AGAIN HE CANNOT SEE THE KINGDOM OF GOD.” John 3:3

“ I AM THE WAY, AND THE TRUTH, AND THE LIFE. NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER EXCEPT THROUGH ME. “ John 14:6

"I AND THE FATHER ARE ONE.” John 10:30

“ I AM THE BREAD OF LIFE; WHOEVER COMES TO ME SHALL NOT HUNGER, AND WHOEVER BELIEVES IN ME SHALL NEVER THIRST.” John 6:35

‘ I AM THE RESSURECTION AND THE LIFE. WHOEVER BELIEVES IN ME, THOUGH HE DIE, YET SHALL HE LIVE. “ John 11:25

“ AWAY FROM ME SATAN ! FOR IT IS WRITTEN, ‘ WORSHIP THE LORD YOUR GOD, AND SERVE HIM ONLY’. AFTER THESE TEMPTATIONS, THE DEVIL LEFT AND ANGELS CAME TO ATTEND JESUS. Matthew 4: 1-11

The QUESTION here seems pretty obvious. If you don’t think these things that Jesus Spoke are TRUE, then WHY do you Identify Yourself as a CHRISTIAN ? I AM A CHRISTIAN BECAUSE I “FOLLOW” AND “BELIEVE” THE THINGS THAT JESUS HAS PROCLAIMED ! And that is important, because YOUR AND MY ETERNAL LIFE DEPENDS UPON IT !

There are truly TWO TEMPLATES that are available to us as humans. GOD”S TEMPLATE,….and satans template. GOD blesses us, prunes us, turns us, loves us, gives us mercy and grace, that WE might SEE AND LIVE according to HIS TEMPLATE ! Satan, well, he roars, and schemes, and digs, and tempts, and whispers….so that WE MIGHT BE DESTROYED ! GOD”S TEMPLATE is “Bountiful And Complete” in the FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT ( Galatians 5: 22-23 ). Satans template is built upon lies, deceptions, and EVIL. You may wonder WHY would anyone, let alone “christians” desire to follow satans template ? I think there are many reasons, but I think a few are very evident. Self Governance and love of Self. A desire to shun obedience, responsibility, and accountability. False “truth” and “freedom.” Self comfort and recognition. FEAR. There are many other reasons, I am sure, but they all follow a pattern. Worst of all, satan has a template for each and every one of us….and WE must Battle Him, and Seek the Protection and Power we have access to when we BELONG TO CHRIST:) Alone, we are doomed…. Fortunately, GOD HAS GIVEN US “ARMOR” ! Ephesians 6 gives us exhortation to “PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD” ! This armor is the key to Spiritual Battle. SEEK IT, UNDERSTAND IT, PUT IT ON, AND STAND !

FINALLY, GROW POWERFUL IN UNION WITH THE LORD, IN UNION WITH HIS MIGHTY STRENGTH ! USE ALL THE ARMOR AND WEAPONRY THAT GOD PROVIDES, SO THAT YOU WILL BE ABLE TO STAND AGAINST THE DECEPTIVE TACTICS OF THE ADVERSARY. Ephesians 6: 11-12

FOR WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST FOR GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD PREPARED BEFOREHAND THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM. Ephesians 2:10

GOD KNOWS YOU. GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOU. WILL YOU TRUST HIM ? Satan can offer you deception and lies….will you bite at his “apple” and it’s DESTRUCTION ? Symbolic things are not designed and put forth for destruction….BUT A REAL AND VICIOUS ENEMY NAMED SATAN IS. Think about the result, as satan “laughs” at the silly little “christians” that don’t see his Hate and Joy in their destruction and Eternal Separation from God….” but, but, I just didn’t understand……too late.

SEEK GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. READ GOD”S WORD, AND PRAY UNCEASINGLY:) May you see GODS TEMPLATE and let it be the Blueprint For Your Life And Heart:). Hallelujah ! SEE GOD”S TRUTH AND WAYS/JAA

THE STEPS OF A MAN ARE ESTABLISHED BY THE LORD, WHEN HE DELIGHTS IN HIS WAY. Psalm 37:23