September 2, 2020
FROM YOUR PASTOR’S DESK:
THE ENMITY IN GOD’S GRACE
The apostle Paul declared: “For I am not ashamed of the GOSPEL of Christ; for it is the POWER unto salvation to everyone that believes…for therein is the righteousness of God revealed” by whom we have received GRACE and apostleship for OBEDIENCE to the faith among all nations, for His name.” Rom. 1: 16, 17, 5, 6.
“I will put ENMITY between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed, and thou shalt bruise his head.’ Gen. 3:15. The divine sentence pronounced against Satan after the fall of man, was also a prophecy, embracing all ages to the close of time, and FORESHADOWING the great conflict [or controversy] to engage ALL the races of men [not only black or white] who should live upon the earth.”
“God declares, ‘I WILL PUT ENMITY.” This enmity is not naturally entertained. When man transgressed the DIVINE LAW, his nature became evil, and he was IN HARMONY, and not at variance, with Satan. There exists naturally NO enmity between sinful man and the originator of sin. BOTH became evil through apostasy [‘falling away from the truth’].
“The apostate is NEVER at rest, EXCEPT as he obtains sympathy and support by INDUCING others to follow his example. For this reason fallen angels and wicked men UNITE in desperate companionship.”
“Had not God specially interposed, Satan and men would have entered into an alliance against Heaven; and instead of cherishing enmity against Satan, the whole human family would have been united in opposition to God.”
“Satan had tempted man to sin, as he had caused angels to rebel, that he might thus secure CO-OPERATION in his warfare against Heaven. There was no dissension between himself and the fallen angels as regards their HATRED of Christ; while on all other points there was discord, they were firmly united in opposing the AUTHORITY of the Ruler of the universe.”
“But when Satan heard the declaration that ENMITY should exist between himself and the woman, and between his seed and her seed, he knew that his efforts to deprave human nature would be INTERRUPTED, that by some means man was to be ENABLED to resist his power.”
“The GRACE that Christ implants in the soul CREATES the enmity against Satan. Without this CONVERTING GRACE and RENEWING POWER, man would continue the captive of Satan, a servant ever ready to do his bidding.”
“But the NEW PRINCIPLE in the soul creates conflict where hitherto had been peace. The POWER which Christ imparts, enables man to RESIST the tyrant and usurper.”
“Whoever is seen to ABHOR SIN INSTEAD OF LOVING IT, whoever RESISTS and CONQUERS those passions that have held sway within, DISPLAYS the operation of a principle WHOLLY FROM ABOVE.” E. G. White, Vol. 4, Spirit of Prophecy, 1884, pp. 224, 225.
This is one of the very first and important reason why “at the end of the day” of our lives and “of all things earthly,” absolutely no one can plead any excuse when we “all stand at the judgment seat of Christ”(Rom.14:10). Make sure you understand the “gospel,” “grace,” and the new principle of “enmity” that God immediately put into Adam and Eve after they fell by transgression.” “Study to show thyself approved unto God!” Bless all, NMF.