The God of This World
It’s the Christmas season. What a lovely time of year for us, would you agree? Then why is my soul on high alert? Why is this time of year always a dichotomy for me? How about you? Do you ever feel torn in two during this time of year? On the one hand, we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; on the other hand, we seethe at the mockery the world aims at the One whose namesake is the root word for the season.
I was reading Matthew 4:9 in my personal studies the other morning and the following passage stood out (context: this was the last of three temptations from Satan toward Jesus in the wilderness at the start of His ministry):
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”
– Matthew 4:8-9
What struck me was Satan’s presumed ownership over the kingdoms of the world. It irritated me and in the back of my mind I could hear God’s Word, which says that He is the sovereign, holy God of the Universe (that includes this world, of course). My immediate response was like, “Hey, watch it, Satan!” But instead of allowing my indignation to spiral, I used this as a prompt to investigate a little further. Allow me to share.
Now is the judgment of this world; now will the ruler of this world be cast out.
– John 12:31
I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me, but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.
– John 14:30-33
Concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
– John 16:11
Do you see what all the above passages have in common? First, they are the words of Jesus, Himself! Second, Jesus conceded that Satan is the current ruler of this world, which means that, in a sense, Satan did have the right to offer Jesus the kingdoms of the world (they are evil, after all, and under his control). Years later, Paul wrote similarly, calling Satan “the god of this world.”
And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
– 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
The apostle John wrote:
We know that everyone who has been born of God does not keep on sinning, but he who was born of God protects him, and the evil one does not touch him.
We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.
And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ. He is the true God and eternal life.
– 1 John 5:18-20
Are we to believe, then, that we are to celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior in a world ruled by Satan? Yes. Those are the facts. What we do with them makes all the difference! Perspective is everything.
We celebrate our King’s birth as foreigners in a world that hates Him. We do so, knowing that our pilgrimage is temporary and our hearts are set on the future.
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
– Colossians 3:1-4
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
– Galatians 1:3-5
We are to celebrate Christmas based on an abiding hope of future deliverance (1 Timothy 4:10; 1 Peter 1:3). This is the key to unlocking our peace this season. We must always remember that today the world lies in the power of its ruler, who can, and does, dole out aspects of it to his own children to his own glory (Ephesians 2:2). That is to be expected; however, we are not his children!
For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.
But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ,
who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.
– Philippians 3:18-21
The future of Satan’s rule is confirmed. It will be abolished by the King of kings and Lord of lords, Jesus Christ. In the interim, we are to do as Jesus illustrated – overcome temptation by faith.
For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?
– 1 John 5:4-5
Let us keep our eyes on the prize (ala Philippians 3:14), shall we? Sure, we might struggle with the audacity of Satan, but let’s not forget that it was God who gave Satan whatever rulership he currently possesses. God doesn’t make mistakes, so let’s just trust that God knows what He’s doing. Our time is coming!
Then the seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever.”
– Revelation 11:15
I guess the reason for this blog is to remind us that though we are in this world, we are not of this world. Christmas is a stark reminder of this very truth. Let us overcome the temptation to assign value to the things of this world, the way Jesus did in the wilderness. Let us dismiss “the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life,” transcending to a better place, where Heavenly truths reign supreme and hold incalculable value (ala Colossians 3:1-4).
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
– 1 John 2:15-17
Love in Christ,
Ed Collins