The devil's best trick...

Three years ago, I was hospitalized with a collapsed lung. This was the sixth or seventh time this had happened, so I was fairly used to it. But I'm digressing.

Late at night on June 6, 2006 (6/6/06), I was watching The Late Show with David Letterman. In it, Dave wished Satan a happy birthday since the date formed the number 666, which is the number of the beast (Revelation 13:18). David Letterman and his audience had fallen for the devil's deception.

The French poet Baudilaire wrote, "My dear brothers, never forget, when you hear the progress of enlightenment vaunted, that the devil's best trick is to persuade you that he doesn't exist" (http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=935597).

Thanks to morality plays from the middle ages, many people imagine Satan as a red guy with horns, a forked tail, and a trident. But that is not the case. He was once an angel. Even now he disguises himself as an angel of light. In the Bible, he is refered to as a prowling lion, seeking someone to devour, as a serpent, and as a dragon. He is the enemy of God and of those who have put their faith in Jesus Christ.

The devil exists. He points you away from God and toward the material things, things such as wealth, status, success, popularity, etc. Maybe you're dubious about these claims. But there is One you should fear more than the devil, and that One is God. Jesus died on the cross so you wouldn't have to spend eternity enduring God's well-deserved judgement for every commandment you've broken.

I read a story once: Hundreds of people were sitting on a fence. Jesus came on one side of the fence and asked the people to follow Him. Satan came on the other side of the fence and asked the people to follow him. Some chose Jesus and some chose Satan. One, however, remained on the fence. Jesus took those who chose Him and left. Satan did the same. That one person remained on the fence. As evening came, Satan returned to the fence and told the one to come with him.
"I did not choose a side," this person said.
"I know you didn't," Satan answered. "But I own the fence."

Jesus paid a very high price for your salvation. If told a friend that you had paid for her to go to (pick a popular destination) and she slapped you in the face and walked away, how would you feel? If you reject Jesus' sacrifice, that's what you're doing. I implore you to recognize the devil for the liar that he is and accept Jesus into your life. How? "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified. And it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved" (Romans 10: 9-10)

I know the question you're asking: "Why should I choose Christianity when there are so many other religions to choose from?" I'll answer that in my next blog entry.