Reference: Exodus 6:1-13
Freedom to enjoy God
We now turn our attention to the specific section of the confession: “…Redeemed us from all the power of the Devil.” Another way of saying this is the Devil no longer has power over you.
The apostle Paul says this Col. 1:13-14 (ESV): “He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.” We are released from the power of darkness into the kingdom of His love.
To fight against sin
Q&A 60 says we are still prone to all evil. Paul exhorts us to fight against sin as though we were in a wrestling match. We live in world of sin; we still have sinful desires lurking within our hearts. However, you and I are not sinners: we are free from the power of sin.
Here’s what that means. In Egypt, the slaves could do nothing but serve their master. Similarly, a sinner exists under total bondage, only capable of living in sin.
But the redeemed can say no to Satan. Yes, holiness is a massive struggle; we are not perfect. But to say I can’t help it — the devil made me do it, is denying the Savior’s work of redemption.
Hear these words from Paul in Titus 2:11-14 (ESV).
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.
Because we have been freed from all the power of the Devil, we are able — indeed, must — live accordingly. This godliness must permeate our lives.
You must understand, godliness is now natural, according to the image of God in you. It’s how God made you. Now you are free to live a “self-controlled, upright, and godly” life — which reflects who you truly are.
Into the kingdom of light
When Peter confessed his faith in Matthew 16, Jesus said, “I will build My church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against me.”
This is what happens: when someone comes to faith, Jesus has gone into the kingdom of Satan, thrown down the gates of his kingdom, and brought the redeemed out into the kingdom of Christ. He has robbed Satan.
Being rescued now, living in the kingdom of light, means you’re in God’s household. In Satan’s kingdom, you were a slave in bondage. In Christ’s kingdom, you are a beloved son or daughter, an adopted child of God. That is the privilege. That is why Christ freed you.
Notice in the redemption story of the Israelites, God did not bring salvation and leave them as slaves in Egypt. No, He brought them out from the kingdom of Satan to the kingdom of God.
The most complete statement on this is found in Gal. 4:4-7 (ESV):
But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.
Instead of thinking of the obedient life as restrictive, understand the concept of redemption: the Devil no longer has power over you, so you can enjoy freedom.
Conclusion
Every believer struggles: by faith, we love the idea that we now live in the kingdom of Christ. But in life, we’re still surrounded by temptations from ourselves, the world around us, and the Devil, who knows that the believer is free from him, but doesn’t give up that easily. He still wants you under his influence.
Too often, we live as though we had one foot in one kingdom and one foot in the other. We confess this: if Christ is your Redeemer, your redemption is complete. You live as a permanent citizen of the kingdom of Christ.
I encourage you to celebrate, every day of your life, the freedom from bondage by the life you live.
Blog post content taken from a sermon series delivered by Dr. Maynard Koerner, President and Professor of Ministerial Studies at Heidelberg Theological Seminary.