SIN'S POWER BROKEN
The gospel of Mark, the fifth chapter most blessed illustrates the power of sin under
which all men are by nature -- and the power of the Lord Jesus Christ, delivering a sinner
from the power of sin.
EPH 2:1-3 tells how the Lord Jesus Christ quickens those who are spiritually "dead
in trespasses and sins." This spiritual death is described as walking "according
to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit
that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among
whom also we all had our conversation in times past in
the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by
nature the children of wrath, even as others."
This state of spiritual death is what enslaved the Gadarene spoken of in Mark 5. He was
enslaved by the power of sin and Satan. He came out of the tombs, where he had been night
and day; crying, and cutting himself with stones, and no man could tame him.
There is no other cure for the tyranny and servitude of Satan and sin than a faith's
view of the Lord Jesus Christ. He could not be tamed by any man, "But when he saw
Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him."
See the power with which he was delivered, when the man's eyes were lifted unto Jesus! All those who could not tame him "come to
Jesus, to see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and
clothed, and in his right mind," MAR 5:15.
Was not the same true with the Apostle Paul as he was going forth in his mad career
destroying the church? We read, "...he had seen the Lord [Jesus] in the way,"
ACT 9:27.
What was the result? "And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt
thou have me to do?" ACT 9:6. See how Satan's power of fascination, which is the
power of sin, was broken the very moment Paul's eyes were fastened on Jesus.
Jesus said in JOH 12:32, "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all
men unto me." There is such a drawing power in that love of our bleeding, dying,
crucified Saviour. As long as our eyes are fixed upon Him, all the Devil's power of
fascination is broken.
Peter took his eyes off Jesus and became strong in himself, and denied his Lord. It was
not until after Jesus, "...turned and looked upon Peter," that Satan's
power of fascination was broken, "... and Peter went out and wept bitterly." LUK
22:56-62. Amen.
O soul, are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness you see?
There's light for a look at the Saviour,
And life more abundant and free!
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace. |
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