The Reason Why

Destroying the Devil’s Work

The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. (The last part of 1 John 3:8 ESV)

The Main Reason Jesus Came

In his lifetime, what work of the devil did Jesus destroy?

• He cast out demons. Jesus didn’t like people being enslaved by evil spirits.
• The Son fixed people’s wrong views of God, revealing His Father’s true loving nature.
• Christ restored the broken relationship between God and humans caused by sin.
• Invited all who would come to dwell with the Trinity eternally in Heaven

Jesus also showed God’s love in a tangible way. For instance, He healed people of diseases like leprosy or blindness.

My Spiritual Point

The Lord still heals today. I understand He still casts out demons too. But as our Redeemer, Jesus does His greatest work in in the lives of believers.

I’ve walked with Christ for over 40 years. Sometimes I dragged my feet, or stumbled, or even slid backwards. But as I’ve continued on this journey, He’s changed who I am, deep inside.

I remember my earliest lesson as a newborn Christian; go apologize when I’d hurt someone. My flesh hated doing that. Proud people don’t apologize and my heart was filled with pride. But the Holy Spirit kept nagging me to go back and make things right. Every time the Lord said, “Go apologize”  I got grumpy and irritable. Yet I obeyed Him anyway.

Soon My Redeemer broke the sin of pride in my life. Then He went after some other unlovely attitudes. Today I’m enjoying the fruit. It’s hard to develop a level of humility—our society doesn’t support it—but it’s wonderfully freeing.

One final comment? You will never catch me boasting I’m humble. Sorry, but I ain’t falling for that trap.

But I am less proud and my inner contentment has increased.

I downloaded this image from Pixabay.com.

Resources:

Here’s an alternative meme with the full verse.

Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil. (1 John 3:8 ESV)