Chapter 71 - Freedom

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By the redemptive work of Jesus Christ, the New Testament church was justified from all transgression of divine law, released from the jurisdiction of divine law, and rescued from the domain of satanic authority. As a result, Satan was deprived of any actual means to cause eternal harm to the New Testament church. Nevertheless, he continues to seek its destruction.

“Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)

Despite his utter defeat, the devil is allowed the freedom to prowl “around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” It is important, however, to clarify that he is not free to prowl around in whatever manner. His efforts are moderated to agree with the will of God.

The Apostle Peter further informs that the devil does not merely prowl around quietly. He prowls around “like a roaring lion.” It should be understood, however, that his fierce roaring is nothing more than a distraction designed to mislead his prey from the truth that he is utterly defeated.

During this present age, the New Testament church is the primary prey of the devil. As indicated, however, he was disarmed, unarmored and bound and as a result, rendered powerless. Therefore, the devil was left with only one means to oppose the New Testament church. His sole weapon against the object of his intense hatred and jealousy is falsehood.

“… the devil … does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. Whenever he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44)

The only strategy the devil has remaining against the church is to promote lies through the intimidation of a fierce, roaring voice. When the New Testament church chooses to submit to his intimidation, it becomes susceptible to his schemes of false accusation.

False Accusation

Satan presently and temporarily holds the legal titles “the ruler of this world” (John 12:31) and “the god of this world” (2 Corinthians 4:4). According to the Apostle John, “… the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19)

Nevertheless, Satan’s authority over the degenerated earth is limited. From his position of limited authority, Satan accuses mankind of the transgression of law. As illustrated in the Bible, he is an accuser. (cf. Job 1:9-11; 2:4-5; Zechariah 3:1-2; Revelation 12:10)

Satan has the legal right to accuse the fallen of sin. They are indeed transgressors of divine law. However, set free by the redemptive work of Christ, Satan has no actual authority to accuse the New Testament church of transgression.

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Unbeliever	Believer
The fallen are guilty of sin.	The church has been justified from sin. As a consequence: It has been forgiven of all transgression of the rule of law; past, present, and future. The righteousness of Jesus Christ was imputed (legally credited) to its account, thus fulfilling the righteous requirement of the rule of law from within. It was declared righteous according to the standard of law. It was once and for all released from the jurisdiction of the rule of law.
The fallen are separated from God.	The church is intimately united to God by sharing life with Jesus Christ. It is obligated to God by the gracious rule of indwelling life (zoe).
The fallen are subject to the impersonal rule of law (the law of sin and of death).	The church has been released from the jurisdiction of the rule of law.
The fallen exist in the domain of darkness, the realm of satanic authority.	The church has been rescued from the domain of satanic authority and transferred to the kingdom of God, the realm of divine authority.
The existence of the fallen is characterized by degeneration, death, and darkness.	The church’s existence is characterized by regeneration, life (zoe), and light.
The fallen are in bondage to the rule of law characterized by guilt, condemnation, and misery.	The church has been delivered from the guilt, condemnation, and misery of the rule of law.
For the fallen, Satan’s accusations of the transgression of the rule of law are truthful.	For the church, Satan’s accusations of the transgression of the rule of law are false.

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As indicated, Satan has the authority to rightfully accuse the fallen of transgression. However, he does not have the authority to justly accuse the New Testament church.

Despite his lack of authority to accuse, Satan schemes to entrap, debilitate and paralyze the New Testament church by falsely accusing it of the transgression of divine law. He recognizes that the resultant false guilt can be as debilitating and damaging as actual guilt.

“… but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57)

In Christ, the New Testament church has been justified, released, and rescued. It has been justified from all transgression of divine law, released from the jurisdiction of divine law, and rescued from the domain of satanic authority.

Justified

Justified by grace through faith, the New Testament church has not only received forgiveness of all sin; past, present, and future, but an imputation of the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Concordant with the imputation, the righteous requirement of the rule of law (“law of sin and of death”) was legally fulfilled in the New Testament church. (Romans 8:4a) Therefore, it was provided with a divine, eternally binding, legal declaration of righteousness.

Fully justified, the New Testament church has been acquitted (found not guilty) of all sin. As a result, it is without any actual legal guilt related to the transgression of law. Regarding the law it is, “… holy and blameless and above reproach.” Consequently, there is no legal guilt for which Satan can accuse the New Testament church. (Ephesians 1:4; 5:27; Colossians 1:22, NKJV)

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Released

Justified from all transgression of divine law, the New Testament church was set free from all penalty and debt related to sin. Therefore, the rule of law for the ecclesia of God is superfluous.

The fundamental purpose of the rule of law was to reveal transgression (sin). (Romans 3:20; 7:7) However, forgiven all transgression of law; past, present, and future, the New Testament church has no remaining sin in need of revelation. Consequently, the rule of law was no longer necessary and the church could be released from its jurisdiction (sphere of authority).

The New Testament church was released from the jurisdiction of the rule of law through death. It died to the rule of law by baptism into (identification with) the death of Jesus Christ. Thus, the New Testament church died to the “law of sin and of death” by co-crucifixion with Christ. (Romans 6:3-7, 7:1-6; Galatians 2:20)

The New Testament church was made to die to the rule of law so that it could be “…joined to another, to Him who was raised from the dead.” (Romans 7:4) Thus, it was co-resurrected with Christ to new life.

By its death with Christ, the New Testament church was released from the jurisdiction, dominion, or realm of authority of the rule of law, the “law of sin and of death.” By its resurrection with Him, it was raised to the divine realm of authority of the “Spirit of life (zoe) in Christ Jesus.”

In Christ, the New Testament church is not subject to God according to the rule of law, the “law of sin and of death.” Instead, resurrected to new life with Christ it is obligated to Him through the gracious rule of His indwelling life (zoe). (Romans 8:2)

In the realm of the Spirit, the realm of divine authority, there is no legal means remaining for Satan to accuse the New Testament church of transgression. Released from the jurisdiction or realm of authority of the “law of sin and of death,” it is no longer obligated to obey the law it is falsely accused of transgressing.

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Rescued

Fully justified and released from the rule of law, the “law of sin and of death,” the New Testament church was rescued from the realm of satanic authority. Therefore, Satan no longer has the authority to justly accuse the church of transgression.

Utterly defeated by the redemptive work of Christ, Satan is not the angel he used to be. Devoid of authority, his present status is but a distant shadow of the former glory he once enjoyed. (John 16:11) Rather than ruling the pristine, original heavens and earth, he presides over the fallen heavens and earth. Characterized by death and degeneration, the New Testament refers to the fallen heavens and earth, the realm of satanic authority, as the “domain of darkness.”

The Apostle Paul explained, however, that the elect of the New Testament church were “rescued… from the domain of darkness, and transferred… to the kingdom of His beloved Son.” (Colossians 1:13) Thus, the elect of the church were removed from the realm of satanic authority and transferred to the realm of divine authority.

In the kingdom of God (realm of divine authority), the elect of the New Testament church are no longer subject to satanic authority. Although they temporarily exist on the degenerated earth in the domain of darkness, their “citizenship is in heaven” and therefore, they are “strangers and pilgrims” on earth. (Philippians 3:20; Hebrews 11:13)

Nevertheless, Satan works with all fervency to persuade the ecclesia of God to believe that it remains subject to his authority. As indicated, however, it is nothing more than a lie.

The New Testament is clear, the church was “rescued” from the realm of satanic authority, the “domain of darkness,” and “transferred” to the kingdom of God, the realm of divine authority. Therefore, Satan has no authority regarding the New Testament church and no legal right to accuse it of transgression.

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Conclusion

Concordant with the redemptive work of Christ, the New Testament church was justified from all transgression of divine law, released from the jurisdiction of divine law, and rescued from the domain of satanic authority. Therefore, Satan is without the actual means to justly harm the New Testament church.

Justified, the New Testament church was unconditionally forgiven of all transgression of the rule of law; past, present, and future, and declared righteous regarding every demand of the rule of law. Therefore, no legal guilt remains by which Satan can rightfully accuse the New Testament church of transgression.

Released, the New Testament church was removed from the jurisdiction (sphere of authority) of the rule of law (the "law of sin and of death"). Therefore, Satan has no legal means remaining by which he can rightfully accuse the New Testament church of transgression.

Rescued, the New Testament church was delivered from the realm of satanic authority, the “domain of darkness.” Therefore, Satan has no legal authority remaining for him to accuse the New Testament church of transgression.

As previously indicated, Peter warned the New Testament church about its fallen enemy and his schemes. He said, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) Within the greater context of the Bible, it is indeed clear that Satan prowls around seeking someone to devour, specifically by means of false accusation.

Relative to the accusations of Satan, the Apostle Peter did not recommend an offensive counterattack. He knew it was incongruent with the eternal plan of God. Instead, Peter encouraged the church to respond defensively by resting faithfully in the victory of Jesus Christ. He said, “… resist [Satan], firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world. After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.” (1 Peter 5:8-10)

“… if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)

© 2023 James Hiatt

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