The Power VIII

Despite the temptations, satan posed no threat to Jesus – never did, never will. “Hereafter I will not talk much with you: for the prince of this world cometh, and hath nothing in me.”[John 14:30]

Satan was just an agent used by God to force Jesus to consider His true identity and become settled in that identity – namely, the Savior and Lover of the world.  Should we consider satan to be different for us?  Of course not.  He has his purpose.  He’s just a liar. We must hone our skills at lie detection and settle into and confirm our true identity. 

Our true identity is Christ as us.  We are co-saviors and lovers of our world.  We must be lied to and tempted from our singleness of purpose.   The lies and the temptations are for our benefit – just as they were to Jesus – to settle us into our true identity and maturity.

So, God’s agent [satan] offers a religious approach to Christianity.  He offers self-improvement.  “Self-improvement” is a lie.  If there was ever anything wrong with our “selves” the blood of His cross washed those problems eternally away.  We are redeemed and reconciled by the sacrificial death of the Savior.  There is nothing left to improve.

More on that in Part IX