23 January 2017 - greater is he

Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children

 [ Today's Readings ]

Mankind is under the dominion of death and Satan. Adam sold our birth rite. On our own we are not strong enough to plunder the enemy strongholds, to free ourselves, or to free others.

But no one can enter a strong man's house to plunder his property
unless he first ties up the strong man.

Jesus ties up the strong man. He takes away any claim the devil has on us. He takes away any power the devil has over us. The only reason we might stay in the house of the devil now is if we choose to.

Christ is mediator of a new covenant:
since a death has taken place
for deliverance from transgressions under the first covenant,
those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance.

Jesus Christ is the only one who can appear before God on our behalf with a price sufficient for our redemption. He gives us the same Holy Spirit that empowers him to dwell in our hearts as well. The Holy Spirit dwelling in us is stronger than the one who is in the world.

Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world (see First John 4:4).

We need to believe this. We need to confess this with our lips. It is beneficial to say this verse out loud when the enemy causes us to doubt. The only sin that can't be overcome is the sin of despair, where we do not even ask for help, where we stay in the enemy stronghold, and ignore the divine grace which Jesus makes available to us.

May we not hesitate to avail ourselves of the strength and grace of the Holy Spirit given to us by Jesus. He is coming again to bring us salvation. In the power of his Spirit we do not fear his coming. We "eagerly await him."

The LORD has made his salvation known:
in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice.
He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness
toward the house of Israel.