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Chapter 84 - Life-Based Warfare
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God designed His creation with the potential to vindicate His nature from satanic accusation. It has provided for the progressive vindication of His nature throughout history. It should be no surprise then; Satan has opposed God’s plan. The progressive vindication of the divine nature on earth makes his rebellious attempt to usurp the throne of God appear even more foolish.
For the devil and his angels, the progressive vindication of the nature of God serves as a public reminder of their judgment and condemnation. It is an ever-present source of embarrassment, humiliation, and shame. Therefore, the devil and his angels continually scheme to destroy mankind and his earthly habitat. Fall of Mankind Satan attempted to thwart the plan of God to vindicate His nature by influencing the fall of mankind. The Fall caused the banishment of the original, representative/ representational humans from the kingdom of God (realm of divine authority; realm of the “Spirit of life (zoe) in Christ Jesus”) to the “domain of darkness” (realm of satanic authority; realm of “sin and of death”) (cf. Colossians 1:13) Satan believed the fall of mankind would demonstrate that human beings, like the fallen angels, were incapable of obedience to God. As a result, he would appear less culpable for his own rebellion. In hindsight, it is rather obvious that he underestimated the wisdom and love of God. God is gracious. (Psalm 145:8; Nehemiah 9:17; 2 Corinthians 12:9) With foreknowledge of the fall of mankind, He graciously provided evidence of His attributes on earth after the Fall. His intent was for mankind to recognize His true attributes and choose life (zoe). The willingness of mankind to choose life and thus, God over self, has served to vindicate the divine nature from satanic accusation. Law of Sin Like all fallen created beings, the fallen citizens of the “domain of darkness” are not governed by divine law. It was established on earth for the benefit of those who are fallen and therefore, sinful. (Romans 8:2; 2 Corinthians 3:7; 9; 1 Timothy 1:8-11) The Apostle Paul clarified, “… law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious.” (1 Timothy 1:9) Thus, the rule of divine law is the law of the dead. The rule of divine law is variously described in the New Testament as “the law” and the “law of sin.” In addition, it is described as the “oldness of the letter,” the “law of sin and of death,” the “law in the members of my body,” the “law of sin which is in my members,” the “ministry of death,” and the “ministry of condemnation.” (Romans 7:6; 23; 25; 8:2; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 15:56; 2 Corinthians 3:7; 9; etc.) The Old Testament Mosaic Law was a particular manifestation of the “law of sin” established on earth for benefit of national Israel. The author of Hebrews specifically described it as the “law of physical requirement,” “weak and useless” and the “shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things.” (Hebrews 7:16, 18-19; 10:1) Falsehood The rule of law, the “law of sin,” is foundational to the deceptive schemes of Satan. He is the “father of lies.” (John 8:44) By introducing falsehood in regard to the purpose and requirement of the “law of sin,” he is provided with the opportunity to undermine the ministry of the church and impair its ability to vindicate the divine nature. Concordant with his deception, Satan fervently schemes to influence the church to self-subject to the rule of law, the “law of sin.” Consequently, the church becomes preoccupied with performance for God rather than the gracious ministry of eternal life (zoe) with Him. Simulation In the fourth century AD, Satan convinced fallen mankind to produce a simulation of the original New Testament church. It was law-based rather than life-based (zoe). According to deceptive scheme, the “ministry” of the simulated church remains law-based even today. Whether labeled a church “Mass” or “service,” its practice predominantly if not exclusively consists of law-based meetings. They are recognized by a law-based liturgy or ritualistic, predetermined order of worship. The liturgical church “service” is not a Spirit-directed celebration of life (zoe) with God. Although well-intentioned, it is nothing more than a law-based, prearranged meeting produced by man for God. The liturgical church “service” for God often includes but is not limited to an introductory prayer (prayer for God rather than purposeful prayer with Him); singing about God (singing for God rather than participating with Him in worship); the ministry of a select few to a passive audience (nonreciprocal “ministry” rather than the reciprocal ministry of eternal life (zoe) by the Spirit through the gifted involvement of every member of the church body); and lecture-style teaching (teaching for God rather than with Him). It is sometimes inclusive of the ritualistic observance of the Lord’s Supper (observed as a solemn, religious observance for Him, inclusive of broken cracker and thimble of juice, rather than a full, celebratory meal with God); an offering (allocated for building and salary expense for God rather than personal ministry to and from the church community with God); and an impersonal, concluding prayer for God (prayer for God rather than purposeful prayer with Him). The simulated, law-based church, characterized by liturgical services, misunderstands the difference between law and life (zoe). It is plainly evidenced by law-based practice. As indicated by its law-based practice, the simulated church demonstrates it believes it is responsible to assist God with its practice, including spiritual warfare and thus, the defeat of the devil and his angels. However, the idea is not only contrary to the life-based (zoe) teaching of the Bible, it is dangerous. |
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Ignorance
The law-based practice of the simulated church demonstrates it is ignorant regarding the divine purpose and requirement of the “law of sin.” As a result, it frequently attempts to live the Christian life (zoe) according to the “law of sin.” By its choice to self-subject to the “law of sin,” the simulated, law-based church reveals it has misunderstood two fundamental truths regarding divine law. First, its purpose is not to allow the fallen to earn favor with God but to reveal the transgression of law (sin). Second, the requirement of divine law is righteousness. It can only be satisfied by perfect obedience. Through its choice of self-subjection to the “law of sin,” the simulated, law-based church has believed the lie that it can please and appease God by satisfying the purpose and requirement of law. It fails to understand it is an impossibility. (Romans 8:3) Self-subjection to the “law of sin” leads the church to be preoccupied with spiritually fruitless law rather than spiritually fruitful life (zoe). Thus, it is exactly where Satan wants it. Law-Based Warfare The devil and his angels are not free to do whatever they please. Subject to God by the rule of law, they have no choice but to obey the commandments and rules He established for the “domain of darkness.” Thus, the schemes of the devil and his angels can only be enacted within the legal boundaries imposed by God. Within those boundaries, Satan’s most fundamental scheme is to convince the New Testament church it remains under the rule of law, the “law of sin.” It provides him with the opportunity to influence its practice and thus, spiritual warfare, from life-based (zoe) to law-based. The law-based church, ignorant regarding the difference between law and life (zoe), believes it is obligated to fulfill the righteous requirement of the “law of sin” for God. Relative to the indwelling principle of sin, however, it is an impossible task and thus, a fool’s errand. (Romans 8:3) Although Satan understands the church was released from the jurisdiction of the “law of sin,” he recognizes false guilt can be as debilitating and damaging as actual guilt. Consequently, he wages warfare characterized by an endless campaign of false accusation against the church. Satan’s accusations of transgression are false because the redemptive work of Christ provided for the fulfillment of its righteous requirement, the forgiveness of all of its transgression; past, present, and future, and the imputation of divine righteousness to the account of the New Testament church. Therefore, concordant with the justice of God, the New Testament church was released from the jurisdiction (authority) of the “law of sin.” (Romans 7:1-6) As a result, it is not obligated to God according to the demanding “law of sin” and not compelled to satisfy its requirement of righteousness. Satan understands, however, the church that believes it remains subject to God according to the rule of law is fixated on performance for Him. Therefore, it is consumed with doing things for Him rather than with Him and thus, recognized by a continuous cycle of transgression, guilt, condemnation, and confession. Rather than pleasing to God, it leads only to the misery of duty, debt, death and darkness. (Romans 7:1-25) The law-based church that attempts to address the false accusations of Satan according to law will not enjoy the gracious victory of Jesus Christ. (cf. Galatians 5:1-4) Instead, it will only discover the controlling influence of its old, fallen nature and thus, the revelation of sin over and over again. (Romans 8:3) As indicated, it is exactly what God established the rule of law on earth to do. (Romans 3:20; 7:7) The law-based church is at a distinct disadvantage in spiritual warfare. Ignorantly self-subjected to the “law of sin,” it is susceptible to Satan’s law-based schemes. Although released from the jurisdiction of the “law of sin,” the law-based church has effectively chosen to subject itself once again to the law of the realm of satanic authority. Thus, it is attempting to fight its spiritual battles on Satan’s law-based battlefield. |
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Life
The New Testament church on earth was predetermined to be life-based (zoe). It is a “… dwelling of God in the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:22) God does not simply dwell in the space between four walls of a building. Rather than a building, the life-based (zoe) New Testament church is the people of God. They were formed into one spiritual body before the foundation of the world. Redeemed by the blood of the Eternal Covenant, the New Testament church was made suitable to accommodate the indwelling life (zoe) of God. As a result, the church, comprised of many individuals in one spiritual body, is blessed with the ultimate privilege of sharing life with God. It is impossible to describe the shared life (zoe) of Christ in fullness. Nevertheless, in a limited manner, it is edifying to describe at least some of the amazing attributes of life (zoe) shared with God. The eternal life (zoe) of Christ indwelling the New Testament church is life in the absolute sense or life in the fullest. It is presumably characterized by an immeasurable number of attributes. However, some of them include: sovereignty, self-sufficiency, self-existency, omniscience, omnipresence, gloriousness, infiniteness, holiness, immutability, omnipotence, light, righteousness, truthfulness, love, benevolence, peacefulness, immortality, perfection, spirituality, eternality, faithfulness, goodness, mercifulness, justice, patience, wisdom, and graciousness. Joined to Christ by an inseparable union of shared life, the New Testament church, individually and collectively, shares the attributes of His life. It is an awe-inspiring truth. Sharing life with Jesus Christ, mankind becomes one with Him in the most intimate sense possible, yet without compromising the integrity of either. His life (zoe) indwelling man does not abolish, replace, or even compromise the human personality. Rather, it is the path of recovery for fallen man, allowing him to experience life in fullness as God intended. Concordant with His indwelling presence, God ensures the gradual transformation of regenerate mankind into the image of Christ. He does so through the progressive renewal of the human personality, gradually setting it free to express the attributes of His indwelling life (zoe). (Romans 8:29) Consequently, sharing life with Jesus does not replace or reduce the human identity. Instead, it recovers mankind to a position of incomprehensible glory. The life (zoe) of Christ indwelling the New Testament church was designed to be its new, righteous source of life for faith and practice. His life (zoe) is the Christian life. Consequently, Paul proclaimed, “… Christ lives in me…” (Galatians 2:20); “To live is Christ” (Philippians 1:20); and “Christ… is our life (zoe) …” (Colossians 3:4) Rather than a somber, law-based church “service” performed for God, New Testament church practice was intended to be a celebration of life (zoe) with Him. It is characterized by the gathering of believers to enjoy the living (zoe) Christ. He is celebrated by the Spirit through life-based (zoe) activities such as purposeful prayer; intentional community; the Lord’s Supper as a full, celebratory meal; participatory praise and worship in song; the fellowship of the Spirit; reading and discussing Scripture; the Spirit-directed, interactive ministry of eternal life (zoe) through the spiritually gifted involvement of every member; the joyful giving of material goods and finances to meet actual needs; corrective spiritual discipline; and mutual discipleship. The New Testament church on earth was intended to accommodate both eternal and the temporal life. Consequently, it is an instrument through which God and mankind can dwell together in harmony, enjoy the riches of shared life, and serve as a witness of the living (zoe) God to a dead world. For that reason, the essential priority of every gathering of the life-based (zoe) New Testament church is the faithful pursuit of life (zoe) rather than the fulfillment of law. The life (zoe) of the church is manifested through the indwelling Christ. Intimate shared life fellowship with Him is to be cherished and protected above all else. Power of Life The power of the life (zoe) of God shared with the New Testament church is incomparable. It is the key to victorious church practice and thus, a consistent theme in the New Testament. For example, the Apostle Paul prayed that the ancient church at Ephesus would know, among other things, “what is the surpassing greatness of His power.” (Ephesians 1:19a) He then explained that the power of God toward the believer is “in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.” (Ephesians 1:19b-21) In his prayer for the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul used four different Greek words to describe the power of God within the New Testament church: |
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It is of interest to note Paul’s other usage of the four words in the rest of his letter to the Ephesians:
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The four Greek words can be defined as follows:
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According to Paul, the incomparable power of the Father, demonstrated through His resurrection of the Son, was made accessible to the New Testament church by means of shared life (Ephesians 1:3-14 delineates some of the blessings of shared life). He indicates that life shared between God and His ecclesia occurred when it was “made…alive together with Christ…and raised…up with Him, and seated…with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:5-6)
In Ephesians chapter 3, Paul again prayed for the church in ancient Ephesus. He specifically prayed that the Father would grant believers “to be strengthened (kratous) with power (dunamis) through His Spirit in the inner man.” The inner strengthening would allow Christ to dwell comfortably within the believer. Strengthened from within by divine life (zoe), he is “rooted and grounded in love.” Secured in the love of God, the believer is privileged to “comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth” of His living (zoe), indwelling presence and thereby, “know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge.” The ultimate purpose of the inner strengthening is so that the believer “may be filled up to all the fullness of the living (zoe) God.” (Ephesians 3:16-19) While the love of God for His children indeed “surpasses knowledge,” the subject of the phrase “breadth and length and height and depth” is not, as often presumed, the love of God in Christ. Contextually, it was used by Paul regarding the power of the Spirit of Christ in the inner man and Christ dwelling in the inner man. The intent of his prayer was for the believer to be “filled up to all the fullness of God.” According to context of usage then, the subject of reference was the indwelling Christ. Thus, the apostle prayed that the Ephesians would comprehend the “breadth and length and height and depth” of the indwelling life (zoe) of Christ, characterized not only by incomparable power but love that “surpasses knowledge.” Indeed, the apostle’s blessing that immediately followed emphasized the incomparable power of indwelling life (zoe). “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” (Ephesians 3:20-21) The power of the living (zoe) God “that works within” the New Testament church is the same power by which Christ was resurrected from the dead and seated at the right hand of the Father far above all opposition. It is “able to do far… beyond all that we ask or think.” Nevertheless, God does not manifest His incomparable power within the New Testament church so that it can fight the enemy for Him through unbiblical exorcism or “deliverance” “ministries.” Law-based, they are the equivalent of fighting spiritual battles for God rather than with Him. Fighting spiritual battles for God is contrary to the powerful, life-based (zoe) practice of the New Testament church. It is consumed with performance for God rather than faith in Him and thus, powerless against the schemes of the devil. The power of God available to the church during life-based (zoe) spiritual warfare is incomparable. The law-based strategy of the devil and his angels is insignificant by comparison. Law of God In contrast to the “domain of darkness,” the kingdom of God is not governed by the demanding “law of sin.” Joined to God through the intimacy of shared life (zoe), its citizens are governed by the gracious rule of His indwelling life (zoe). It is revealed in the New Testament as the “law of God.” (Romans 7:22; 25; 8:2, 7; 1 Corinthians 9:21) Contrary to the “law of sin,” the law of the dead, the “law of God” is the law of the living (zoe). Therefore, it is the law of the righteous and thus, the law of the New Testament church. The rule of divine life (zoe) is described in the New Testament as the “law of God,” the “law of faith,” the “law of the Spirit of life (zoe) in Christ Jesus,” the “law of Christ,” the “perfect law,” and the “law of liberty.” (Romans 3:27; 7:22; 25; 8:2, 7; 1 Corinthians 9:21; Galatians 6:2; James 1:25; 2:12) It is often referred to in this book as the “rule of life.” Life-Based Warfare Law-based warfare demands the church become acceptable to God through the fulfillment of specific “rules” or “guidelines” associated with spiritual warfare. The church is presumably acceptable to God and worthy of victory only when they are adequately satisfied. But at what point does the church adequately satisfy the obedience of law? adequately satisfied? The biblical answer is never! Relative to the presence of the fallen nature, human acceptability to God cannot be achieved by obedience to law. (Romans 8:3; Galatians 2:19-21) Even one “small” act of disobedience negates the necessary fulfillment of the “law of sin” and renders acceptability by law null and void. (Galatians 3:10-12; James 2:10) Satan understands that acceptability to God and thus, victory in spiritual warfare, cannot occur by obedience to the rule of law. Self-subjected to the rule of law, the church is powerless against his schemes. It is the reason he so actively encourages the church to practice law. Life-based (zoe) spiritual warfare is not characterized by obedience to eternal law but faithfulness to eternal life (zoe). Rather than a work of mankind for God, it is a gracious work of God for the benefit of His beloved New Testament church. Accordingly, the church is not called to fight for God according to eternal law but with Him according to His eternal, indwelling life (zoe). Life-based (zoe) spiritual warfare obligates the church, not to work for Christ, but to trust in Him to fight its battles. He is the only One who can truly provide protection and deliverance against the schemes of the devil and His angels. Human cooperation occurs by grace through faith alone. Life-based (zoe) spiritual warfare does not call the New Testament church to run to the battle. When battle occurs, it calls the church to run to Christ and rest in His perfect victory. To rest faithfully in the midst of battle is not necessarily an easy thing to do. It will always involve personal cost. However, it is a sacrificial act that will eventually be viewed as a great privilege. Despite the suffering and difficulty associated with life on earth, the New Testament church, positioned in the victorious Christ at the right hand of the Father in heaven, is called only to look down from above, and watch the wisdom of God at work as He uses the schemes of the devil to contribute to the edification of His ecclesia. “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28) The life-based (zoe) spiritual warfare of the New Testament church is vastly different from that of the law-based church. It is not fixated on performance for God but consumed with Jesus Christ. Conclusion Law-based warfare is characterized by satanically inspired falsehood, human life (psuche), bondage to the “law of sin,” temporal conditions, works of self-effort, and self-protection. It is a fleshly endeavor that demands the church to fight for God during spiritual battle. Law-based warfare is the result of ignorance regarding God’s word; responding to the battle independently from God; satanic deception; and effectively fighting from the “domain of darkness,” the temporary realm of satanic authority. Its outcome is not favorable to the New Testament church. Of course, Satan prefers the church respond to his schemes according to law-based warfare. In contrast, life-based (zoe) warfare is characterized by divine truth, divine life (zoe), the freedom of the “law of God,” eternal position, faith, and divine protection. It is a spiritual endeavor that provides for the New Testament church to “stand firm” with God during spiritual battle. Life-based (zoe) warfare is the result of knowing God’s word; responding dependently with the living (zoe) God; faithfulness; and “standing firm” from the “kingdom of God,” the eternal realm of divine authority. Its outcome is the will of God and favorable to the New Testament church. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the [armor] of our warfare (Jesus Christ) [is] not of the flesh, but divinely powerful.” (2 Corinthians 10:3-4) © 2025 James Hiatt |
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