The Six States of Unbelievers 2:
The Spiritual Problem and Destiny (Ephesians 2:2)
-Why do most people have deep anxiety for their life and future? It is because they plan their life and try to resolve their problems on their own.
Proverbs 27:1 Do not boast about tomorrow, For you do not know what a day may bring forth.
-Human beings are like a weak and fragile vessel. The value of humankind results from what he/she has inside him/her.
2 Corinthians 4:7-9 But we have this treasure (Jesus Christ) in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
-If you are in Jesus Christ, you don’t worry your future life, although sufferings, persecutions, and hardship come upon you. You possess Jesus Christ who has victory over sin, Satan, and the world (1 John 3:8; John 16:33). The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the evidence of His triumph and identity as God the Son.
-However, outside of Jesus Christ, people cannot avoid destiny and fate within their spiritual problem. What is it? What is the solution for it?
1.What is the spiritual problem?
1)The start of the spiritual problem
-Satan, who had been corrupted before the fall of Adam and Eve, deceived them to depart from God. They disbelieved and disobeyed God's Word, but instead followed the saying (deception) of Satan (Gen.3:1-6). As a result, people are separated from God and become the slave of Satan (Rom.3:23; John 8:44).
-The root of the spiritual problem is based on the state of the slavery of sin, death, and Satan (fundamental problems). Accordingly, the spirit of humankind cannot have peace, rest, happiness, and blessings. The spiritual afflictions get worse and worse in this world.
2)The activity of Satan and the spiritual problem
-In order to understand the spiritual problems, we should grasp what activities of Satan are. After the corruption of Satan, he was cast out in this world.
Revelation 12:9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
-In this world, Satan as the prince (ruler) of this world (John 16:11) and his evil spirits deceive and attack people not to believe God’s Word.
2 Corinthians 4:4 (ESV) In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
-Therefore, unbelievers as the children of the devil dwell in lies (John 8:44). Now they are oppressed by Satan (Acts 10:38). Some are caught up and possessed by the demon (Acts 8:7; 16:16). Others are under the influence and power of the devil.
Ephesians 2:2 (ESV) in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience
-Because of their spiritual problem, some listen to strange voice, or see a hallucination (or evil spirits). They are bound by fate and destiny behind culture and customs.
3)The end of the spiritual problems -In this world, people suffer from the spiritual problems. What is the end of the spiritual problems?
Matthew 25:41 Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels:
If anyone does not change his/her spiritual identity into the child of God, they will go to hell and have eternal afflictions. There is no end of the spiritual problems except one method.
2.Healing and solution for the spiritual problem
1)Salvation of Jesus Christ
-Because the spiritual problems start from the fundamental problems, the solution regarding the original sin is the unique way to resolve it.
Matthew 1:21 And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.
-God’s unique way to save human beings is Jesus Christ. He is true Priest who died instead of us for our sin (Mark 10:45), true Prophet who opened up the way to meet God (John 14:6), and true King who destroyed the works of Satan (1John 3:8). To believe and accept Jesus Christ in our heart by God’s grace is to become the children of God (John 1:12; Eph.2:8).
Acts 16:18 And this she did for many days.But Paul, greatly annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, “I command you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her.” And he came out that very hour.
-In Jesus’ name, we can overcome Satan and evil spirit who work in unbelievers and possess them. We as the children of God can use Jesus’ name and authority against Satan. Salvation is the start of healing concerning the spiritual problems.
2)The Gospel-centered nature
-After we are saved and become the children of God, we become new creation in Jesus Christ (2 Corin.5:17). Our spiritual identity is totally changed. However, Satan attacks believers and is seeking people whom he can deceive. 1 Peter 5:8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
-If our standard, value system and worldview
are not Gospel-oriented, we have no choice but to be deceived and crumbled through the deception and scheme of Satan. Therefore, we must have the Gospel-centered nature. We have to put the deep root of the Gospel in us.
Romans 1:17 For in it (gospel) the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “The just shall live by faith.
-If we dwell inside the Gospel, we have the righteousness of God and faith. The Gospel is our worldview, value system, and standard.
3)The filling of the Holy Spirit
-Furthermore, we should have spiritual strength from God. We as the children of God can receive the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
-It is because the Holy Spirit dwells in us (John 14:16-17). Therefore, if we ask the filling of the Holy Spirit in our prayer time, we will receive this answer.
Ephesians 5:18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit,
Conclusion
1)Preach the message of the cross
1 Corinthians 1:18 For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.
-Many elites and people around us have spiritual sufferings, although they hide their problems. When we preach the gospel of Jesus Christ, the one whom God predestined will listen and respond us. Therefore, share the Gospel to people around us.