A Nugget from New Life Network
(by Dr. Larry Ollison)
Scripture for the Day (July 6, 2016)
I would have fainted, unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. (Psalm 27:13)
Last week a man wrote and asked this question. He said, “Why did Jesus come to earth? What was He really trying to do?” Here’s the answer. First John 3:8 says, “He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.”
Here we are clearly told why Jesus came to earth. He came to destroy the works of the devil. But, what are the works of the devil? To get this answer let’s look at what Jesus did. In every town and village Jesus entered, He preached the gospel, the good news, He healed the sick, and He set free those who were in bondage. So, if Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil, then the works of the devil must be sickness, bondage, and bad news.
Jesus has not changed. Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” But, neither has the devil. In John 8:44 Jesus was talking to the religious leaders of the day. He said, “You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.”
Satan still tries to put us in bondage and Jesus still wants to set us free. In John 8:31-32, Jesus said, “If you abide in My Word, you are My disciples indeed. And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” So, here’s the point. If you have something that binds you, you must remember this. Jesus came to set you free.
Unfortunately, many people are confused about who does what to whom. In order to be set free, we must know the truth. And here’s the truth. All good comes from God the Father. He sent His Son to preach the gospel, the good news. He didn’t send Him to bring bad news. When Jesus went into a town or village, He spoke words that brought hope to the hopeless. He spoke health to the sick. He spoke liberty to those in bondage. He also came to heal the brokenhearted.
I receive many letters. When I read these letters, one thing is evident. There are many people in bondage and there are many people with broken hearts. If your heart is hurting, then today let me propose this. Recognize that it is not Jesus who hurts you to teach you something. It’s Jesus who loves you and wants to heal your broken heart. God loved you enough to send His Son. Jesus loved you enough to die for you. Satan has never loved you and his desire is to destroy you. In order to be set free, in order to have your broken heart mended, you must know the truth.
Remember what Jesus said in John 10:10. “The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly.”
