The Great Irony

I regularly attend the college Bible Study at my Grace Christian Church. Our lesson plan is taken from Precepts Upon Precepts (aka the inductive bible study) and for half a year we tackle one book of the Bible and exhaust it. We're currently going through the book of I Thessalonians and this week we've focused our attention of the few times Satan is mentioned in the book. Satan -- the Tempter, the Devil, the Great Dragon, the Serpent of Old. So many names for a figure that the majority of the world hates. And as most people know, Satan was once an anointed cherub. He was given the seal of perfection (Ezekiel 28:12b NKJV). "Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty," Ezekiel says. Just think about that for a second -- Satan = perfection.

Now think of our world; think of humanity and how depraved we are. We were born into sin when we entered this world, evil rages within each one of us trying to make its way out. And I'm not just talking about the world, I'm talking about myself. I'm talking about how I can do no good thing with Christ. And it's the same with you.

So let's weigh this on the scale. Who's the most likely to be loved by God? Perfection or Imperfection?

I say perfection, because God is Holy and Perfect (Matthew 5:48) It's part of his character and he wants the same in us.

But the funny thing is Satan messed up. The very things that made him so completely awesome led to his downfall. And what's Satan's fate, but hell! We, on the other hand, were redeemed through the blood of Jesus. And I'm just relieved God gave us a second thought. Adam and Eve were made in the beginning -- and all they got was good. Not even close to perfection, but still we were loved! We were called children of God! We were died for! How amazing is that?!

Sorry, the end is indiscernible (<-- that word took me a whole minute to figure out how to spell it correctly.) Anyway, it's late and I'm still sick. Ta-ta