1 John 3:8 – “The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning.  For this purpose, the Son of God was revealed: to destroy the works of the devil.”

As I read, prayed, and mused on the Word of God today, a thought kept tugging at the strings of my heart.   Like the song, “Something got a hold of my life, and it won’t let me go.” This thought persisted.

I John 3:8b – “The Son of God was manifested for this purpose, to destroy the works of the devil.”  Wait, I thought Jesus came to save mankind.   He did, but more as well!

One of, if not the embodiment of all the works of the devil, is sin.  Notice it says “works,” not “work.”  Jesus came to defeat the devil and restore man to his rightfully intended place, position, condition, and relationship.  The works of the devil are visible in the actions of people.

• The work of God is love!  The work of the devil is hate!  
• The work of God is trust.  The work of the devil is distrust.
• The work of God is obedience.  The work of the devil is disobedience.
• The work of God is total health (body, soul, and spirit).  The work of the devil is sickness (body, soul, and spirit).
• The work of God is life.  The work of the devil is death.

Jesus came to give us life, and the life He offers is abundant.  If Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil and our commission is to do the works He did, is not our purpose to destroy the devil’s works, too?

One of the primary ways (other than the Cross) in which Jesus destroyed the works of the devil was through love and obedience.   Jesus lived in total obedience to the Father. Jesus loved everyone.  Do we manifest Him?  Unless we manifest Him, we cannot destroy the works of the devil.   If we manifest Him by our lives, we destroy the works of the devil.  Our lives become spiritual magnets, drawing people to the light.

In every action, thought, and word, we should ask, “Is this a manifestation of Jesus?”  Our ambition should be to manifest Him in our lives.   Only a totally surrendered life can manifest Jesus.   To be like Him as He is, in this world, we have to die to self.   Are we dead?  Are we alive?  What do our thoughts, words, and deeds say about us?  What do they say about Him?  Are we destroying the works of the devil, or working with the devil through a lack of love and disobedience?

Have a blessed day, and keep looking up. Our redemption is nearer than when we believed.