Peace • Devotion 4

Nothing!
John Stone

“I will no longer talk much with you, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no claim on me.” John 14:30

As the chaplain of a local county jail, I can, at times, find myself in strange situations. This week I was asked to speak with an inmate to find out whether he was what he claimed to be: a Buddhist. Now, I am no expert on world religions, but a five-minute Google search can be pretty informative. Buddhists are known for being peaceful and striving for harmony in all things. Their lifestyles are marked by a pursuit of purity in what they eat, which was the reasoning behind this inmate’s request to eat a vegetarian diet, or maybe because jail food is gross. There was only one problem. Since the day he arrived, this man has not ceased to verbally abuse those around him, act aggressively and, in general, treat other people like garbage. When I denied his request to be considered a Buddhist, he was angry, “But I told you I am a Buddhist!” My reply was that I will believe him to be one when he starts acting like one. This concept is very simple: actions speak louder than words.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are being constantly watched. Our words and actions measure us against a biblical standard that, in my experience, even unbelievers know very well. If we act unloving (1 Corinthians 13:4-8), they are quick to notice. If we are dishonest in business (Proverbs 11:1), we are not getting away with it. When we talk about binge-watching an immoral TV show (Ephesians 5:3), it prompts questions in their minds.

“The ruler of this world” in John 14:30 is the devil, Satan, “that ancient serpent” (Revelation 12:9), or our archenemy. He is also known as the accuser of the brethren. He has earned this title from thousands of years of deception, trapping the unsuspecting when they let down their guard and fall into one of his schemes. What is his goal? It is to discredit God’s children in front of their Heavenly Father and call into question the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, he is very, very good at it.

You and I would not have a chance if it were not for Christ’s intercession on our behalf (Hebrews 7:25). We would be cut off from the herd and devoured in short order (1 Peter 5:8). We know that ultimately we are safely held in our Father’s hand (John 10:29), but let us not presume on His grace while giving ammo to our enemy. Jesus Christ, our older brother and forerunner (Hebrews 6:20), has done something no one else can do. He lived a sinless life, never giving in to His flesh; always doing what was right. Beyond just sitting in a corner somewhere not sinning, He always did the Father’s will (John 6:38). He was perfectly obedient to accomplish what His Father required of Him including death on a Roman cross where He absorbed the Father’s wrath for sin; your sin and my sin. Jesus was able to confidently head to the cross knowing that His sacrifice would be acceptable and satisfy the righteous requirement of the Father. The accuser, who had been so carefully watching and hoping for Him to slip, had nothing on Him. Nothing!

We need to consider what our actions are saying to those who are watching. Do we confess Jesus as Lord but live for ourselves (Luke 6:46)? Do we say we are Christian but our actions are indistinguishable from those of unbelievers? If someone had to look at our life to confirm or deny our claim to Christianity, what would they say?
 
Walk in faith and holiness by the power of the Spirit so that we can glorify our Father and confidently say with Jesus about our accuser, “He’s got nothing on me.”

Isaiah 54:17 (NASB) summarizes it so well, “‘No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their vindication is from Me,’ declares the Lord.”