“Satan, a defeated foe”

Satan, a defeated foe…
joany, Editor-Publisher
“Heavenly Notes”
May 2007

In counseling we often hear from the counselee (believer) that he/she feels “defeated” and cannot get a grasp on Romans 12:31 “If God is for us, who can be against us? Because they carry around old baggage of their belief of “Satan’s control” over their lives and the misunderstanding of doctrine, sin, and God’s providence and sovereignty, they feel defeated.  Thus, I encourage my students to “dig deeper” in the Scriptures and theology so that they are not confused by erroneous teaching and thus “take away” God’s attributes and the truth that the Evil One and his minions have no part or parcel, dominion or control over God’s children.  We are “reigning with Christ” in the heavenlies and are indwelt by His Holy Spirit.  We are empowered by His Holy Spirit and commanded to “do all things to the glory of God” by His grace. We are counseled to “put off” the old man and his sinful ways (the old nature) and “put on Christ” (the new man created in true holiness).  Thus we can rejoice as the Scripture say and, “rejoice always and again I say rejoice”!  Why?  Because we belong to Christ.  Here are a few excellent reasons from Dr. Adams to encourage you: 

 “A soldier of the cross is on the winning side.  The enemy has already been defeated.  Christ has thoroughly routed him by His sacrificial death, bodily resurrection, and ascension to power and glory.  Satan’s condition, since the cross, is described as follows: 

1. He is “bound”:  Mark 3:27; Luke 11:20; Revelation 20:6ff 
2.  His power is restricted and restrained”  II Thessalonians 2:6ff
3. He has been rendered “powerless over believers”:  Hebrews 2:14
4.  He is defeated, disarmed, and spoiled.  Colossians 2:15; Revelation 12:7ff; Mark 3:27
5.  He has “fallen” and was “thrown down”: Luke 10:18; Revelation 12:9
6.  His kingdom has been replaced by God’s:  Daniel 7; Luke 11:20
7.  He had a short furious time of activity in the first century that has ceased:  Revelation 12:12
8.  He was “crushed” under the foot of the early Christians:  Romans 16:20
9.   He has lost “authority” over Christians: Colossians 1:13
10.  He cannot “touch” a Christian: 1 John 5:18
11. His works have been destroyed:  1 John 3:8
12.  He has “nothing”:  John 14:30
13.  He must “flee” when “resisted”:  James 4:7
14.  His [Satan’s] minions, likewise, have been cast out, subject to the authority of Christians, overcome by them [Christians], bound in chains, etc. (Cf. Matthew 10-12; Mark 1:27; 6:7; Luke 9:1; 10:19; I John 4:4; Jude 6; Revelation 12:9, etc.) Satan truly is a defeated foe.  His power over unbelievers still is great:  the “whole world lies in the evil one” (1 John 5:19); he can “take them captive at his will” (II Timothy 2:26).  Yet this no longer is true of the believer.  Thus, the Christian by God’s grace (help) can overcome evil [in his/her own life] and is exhorted to do so (Romans 12:21).” 1/ 

Satan works through “the children of disobedience” but has no power of any kind over you.  You are free in Christ to love and obey Him and you have His Holy Spirit to do “all things” well.  Be encouraged and empowered by these thoughts!  When God is for us, truly “who can be against us”? No one, No thing, No evil, No Satan, No nothing…You are “overcomers” and have the power of Christ…rejoice and walk in it! 

“While God is for us, and we keep in His love, we may with a holy boldness defy all the powers of darkness. Let Satan do his worst, he is chained; let the world do its worst, it is conquered: principalities and powers are spoiled and disarmed, and triumphed over, in the cross of Christ. Who then dares fight against us, while God Himself is fighting for us?”_Matthew Henry 

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.   For whom He foreknew, He also predestinated to be conformed to the image of His Son, for Him to be the First-born among many brothers.  But whom He predestinated, these He also called; and whom He called, those He also justified. And whom He justified, these He also glorified.  What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? Truly He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?  Who shall lay anything to the charge of God’s elect? It is God who justifies.  Who is he condemning? It is Christ who has died, but rather also who is raised, who is also at the right hand of God, who also intercedes for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, “For Your sake we are killed all the day long. We are counted as sheep of slaughter.” But in all these things we more than conquer through Him who loved us.  For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,  nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Romans 8:28-39

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1/Jay E. Adams, “The Christian Counselor’s Manual: Baker Book House, 1983

Book Review: The Westminster Larger Catechism: A Commentary, by Johannes G. Vos

The Westminster Larger Catechism: A Commentary, by Johannes G. Vos, edited by G. I. Williamson. Published by P&R, 2002. Paperback, 639 pages, list price $19.99. Reviewed by editor Larry Wilson.

If you don’t buy another book this year, make sure you get and use The Westminster Larger Catechism: A Commentary, by J. G. Vos!

Johannes G. Vos (1903- 1983), after pastoring two RPCNA congregations and serving as a missionary in Manchuria, was a professor at Geneva College for many years. He also edited a quarterly magazine of Bible and doctrinal instruction, Blue Banner Faith and Life, for twenty-nine years. He wrote most of the articles himself, using his God-given gift for digesting complex material and explaining it simply and clearly.

G. I. Williamson has performed a tremendous service by combing through old issues of Blue Banner Faith and Life, where this material first appeared as serial articles, and collecting it into this volume. Don’t let the word commentary in the title scare you away. Prof. Vos wrote with great simplicity and clarity. His pastoral heart shines through on every page. He comments on the Larger Catechism by first listing Scripture proof texts and summarizing their import for the point at hand. Then he gives a series of brief questions and answers, explaining various aspects and ramifications of the question he is discussing.

An excellent article by W. Robert Godfrey - “An Introduction to the Westminster Larger Catechism” - introduces this volume. In it, Dr. Godfrey explains the continuing value of the Larger Catechism for the church today. The Larger Catechism provides outstanding summaries of doctrine, perhaps even improving on the Confession of Faith in certain places. It provides an especially full discussion of the Ten Commandments. Whereas the Shorter Catechism focuses on individual believers, the Larger Catechism focuses more on the Christian community and develops a full-orbed doctrine of the church - which is much needed in our day.

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“My Heart is Steadfast”

Heavenly Notes
May 2007
ReformedWomen Bible-Book Study
Joany, JoyPals.com-ReformedWomen, Editor-Publisher

“My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody!” Psalm 57:7

In our current study of the book, “A Steadfast Heart,” Chapter 1, we see God’s providential working in the life of David and some of the trials and sufferings that he suffered as a believer. We see David’s growth and strength and his fear, terror and heartache. We see God’s leading and David’s utter dependence upon God for his survival and life. We see the inward trials and the outward obedience of David submitting to God’s Word in his relationship with Saul. Like David and our brethren throughout history, we too “hide in caves” in many ways and fail to see and submit to God’s providence and wisdom in the paths He has marked out for us. We love to do everything in our own flesh, on our time schedule, in our ignorant assumptions rather than trust in God’s providence that He will, as He has promised, work everything according to the “counsel of His will” for our good. We negate His Word that encourages us to faith, the demonstration of His love, and in His persevering grace in our life. We see that we want “our will to be done” rather than His. We “want” what “we want” when “we want” it and want to walk contrary to the promised path of Scripture that we “will suffer much tribulation” in this life on our journey homeward. We are like “Christian” in Pilgrim’s Progress in readiness to go into the slough of despond at the earliest moment the trials, frustrations, and sufferings come and retreat into caves of self-righteousness, self-pity, and “why me Lord”-isms rather than “what would Thou have to me to do Lord” or “Thy will be done” and “speak, your servant hears.” We fail to remember that God’s mercy is fully poured out on us daily in so many wonderful and merciful ways that we cannot even number them. His mercy fails not and His grace is sufficient for all. His blessings are so bountiful to us that we are even blessed in our trials, sufferings and sins. Where “sin abounds” much more “grace abounds” and we have an Advocate with Christ that we can turn to every moment of every day and He is there, in our presence, praying, listening and helping us; walking with us through this vale of tears. Elyse said, “God is at work in your circumstances.” He is always at work in our circumstances and there is nothing that He withholds from His children. He gave Himself for us and gave us eternity — will He not give us all things in this life for life and godliness? Yes, He will, and on top of that, love, joy, peace, strength, help, faith, His intercessory prayer and constant abiding with us. What people in all the world have such blessings as we have in Christ? None, only the true believer has such royal riches and blessings in this life and in the world to come, eternity, pure and perfect. We truly can find His comfort in the midst of our storm. He has empowered us and strengthened us by His Holy Spirit, by His grace and by His love to “bear all things, “endure all things” for the gospel and His Kingdom’s sake. We are able by our Sovereign, Loving and Caring God to “do all things” and do them to the praise of His glorious grace. So then, we are called to the task of looking at our steadfastness and how we must, by submission to Christ and obedience, seek His face, in prayer and supplication, in tears and by hard work, trusting Him and seeking to “do Thy will O Lord” not with “eye service” or pathetic pity parties of “I can’t do it” but rather, we can have a “can do” attitude with peace. How? By digging into His Word, seeking His face in prayer, and by His grace and mercy, find help in time of need, not in our caves, not in our sin, but only in His presence doing His will from our heart. Finally then,

“What is your only comfort in life and death?”

“That I, with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ; who, with His precious blood has fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, wherefore by His Holy Spirit, He also assures me of eternal life, an makes me heartily willing and already, henceforth, to live unto Him.

To God be the glory, great things He has done!

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1/ Fitzpatrick, Elyse: “A Steadfast Heart, Experiencing God’s Comfort in Life’s Storms,” P& Publishing, 2006

May…”the flowers appear on the earth…”

“The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtle-dove is heard in our land. Song of Solomon 2:12

The flowers appear on the earth,…. One of the first signs of the spring being come; and make the season delightful and pleasant; the sun returning with its warming influences, herbs and plants are quickened and spring up; fields and meadows, as well as gardens, are covered with a variety of beautiful flowers, which make walking abroad very delightful. By these “flowers” may be meant either the graces of the spirit in the saints, which, when a wintertime with them, seem to be dead, at least are hid; but, upon a return of the sun of righteousness, revive and are seen again: or the saints themselves, when in a flourishing condition, and in the exercise of grace; who may be compared to the flowers of the field for the production of them in the spring, which is a kind of re-creation of them, Psa_104:30; and fitly expresses the renovation of the Holy Ghost, to which the revival of them is owing; and for the fragrancy of them, their persons and services being of a sweet savour through the grace and righteousness of Christ; and for their beauty and ornament to the fields in which they grow, as saints are through Christ in themselves, and to the churches and interest of Christ; and for the gaiety and cheerfulness in which the flowers appear in the spring season, and so a proper emblem of the joy and consolation of the saints; where grace revives, Christ returns, and they are favoured with communion with him. It may not be improper to observe, that this may represent the large conversions of souls to Christ, and the numerous appearance of so many beautiful flowers in the church of Christ in the first ages of Christianity, after a long winter of Jewish and Gentile.