This One Time

Luke 4:5-6 

"And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him

all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.  And the devil

said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the

glory of them: for that is delivered unto me;

and to whomsoever I will I give it." 

    The Kingdom of God would have an impact on everyone, weather they wanted it or not. Most definitely it has started battles. One of the biggest happened right off the bat. Right after the Baptism of Jesus The Holy Spirit led Him into the wilderness and tested by the devil to reveal the power and authority of  The Son of God.

    A lot was at stake here. Satan had been given temporary dominion over the earth. Jesus would later refer to him as "the ruler of this world", but in the same breath Jesus would pronounce Satan's soon and certain defeat. "Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out," (John 12:31).   

    There was a lot riding on the entrance of Jesus into the world to redeem lost humanity. Satan went for the Jugular, offering Jesus the easy way to world dominion. No cross. No blood. No crown of thorns or a lash across the back. Just worship me! This one time!

    My Friends, It would have been easy to argue that the ends might have justified the means. But for Jesus there was no shortcut for success but loyalty to the Father.  A Loyalty that has but one response, absolute obedience.  When Jesus declared His intentions to worship and serve the Lord alone,  it was a direct quote from God's instructions to His people thousands of years before. "Thou shalt fear the LORD thy God, and serve him, and shalt swear by his name." (Deut. 6:13). 

    We as followers face the same decision every day. Someone will ask  you  to do or be engaged in some type of sin, if they haven't already, and I am sure they said, Just This One Time! Do we desire The Kingdom of God or The Kingdom of This World. Will it be personal fame or The Father's Glory. 

Amen!

Reading: Luke 4:1-13

Ref: HG SB

May God Bless You

And Your Family

Minister Robert A. Lail Sr.

The Cross Life Ministry.