SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1325

“Power of Death”

Since therefore the children share in flesh and blood, he himself likewise partook of the same things, that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery. – Hebrews 2:14-15

We are Flesh and Spirit – Contrary to worldly wisdom, we are more than a higher form of animal. Our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit in communion with our spirit.

God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them; Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own. – Genesis 2:7; 1 Corinthians 6:19

Inherited From Adam – Mortal Flesh and a Sin Nature– We are all descendants of Adam. Because Adam and Eve chose to give in to temptation and disobey God, death came into the world through their sin and the enemy of our soul was given the power of death.

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned – Romans 5:12

The Power of Death Brings Separation – Death is both physical and spiritual. Our bodies are mortal, and they will die, and our soul will separate from it.

By the sweat of your face, you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return. – Genesis 3:19

The real danger lies in the separation of our soul from communion and fellowship with God.

What partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? – 2 Corinthians 6:14

The Power of Death brings a Fear of Dying and Keeps Us in Bondage to Sin. – Satan, who holds the power of death is a liar. He seeks to keep us in bondage to sin and destroy our communion with God. He lies when he tells us that we are too far gone to be forgiven and saved. Believing this lie brings a fear of dying and a less than fulfilled life.

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

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. – John 10:10

The Ultimate Power of Death is Eternal Separation from God – Our refusal to accept the gift of salvation through Jesus, choosing rather to embrace a life of willful disobedience and sin, gives death its ultimate power over us: our eternal damnation.

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins. – 1 Corinthians 15:56; John 8:24

Then he will say to those on his left, Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. – Matthew 25:41

The Power of the Cross Destroyed the Power of Death – The good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that the power of death has been broken. By His death and resurrection, Jesus destroyed the power given to Satan by sin.

And you, who were dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses, by canceling the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross. – Colossians 2:13-15

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us; He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. – Galatians 3:13; 1 Peter 2:24

The Power of the Cross Frees Us from the Consequence of Sin – Death has no power over us when we accept Christ’s sacrifice and receive forgiveness of sin and eternal life through Him.

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 6:23

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death; Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. – Romans 8:1-2; 2 Corinthians 5:17

The Power of the Cross Gives Us Hope for Eternity – Our souls may separate from our mortal bodies in death, but that is not the end. Rather, it is the beginning of eternal life having been reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. Now is the time to accept Christ as our Lord and Savior – while it is still ‘day’ – while we have breath to confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead. (Romans 10:9)

But in fact, Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who have fallen asleep. For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive… The last enemy to be destroyed is death. – 1 Corinthians 15:20-26

 Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps my word, he will never see death. And everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this? – John 8:51,11:26

May you be set free from the power of death and bondage to sin.

May you live an abundant and fruitful life in the abiding presence of Jesus.

May you live a victorious life over sin through the power of the Holy Spirit.

May you stand in the wake of Jesus’ victory over death on that last day as you are welcomed into the presence of the Father.

When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. – 1 Corinthians 15:54-55,57