This post is the first of five we will do throughout the summer series. We will cover parts of Christ's atonement that are in the book, Death by Love, but not covered in the sermons. This is the first of them covering the early church's favorite: Christus Victor.
The chapter in the book follows a troubled young women who really just wanted her father to protect her. Instead in her teenage years she filled this void with the approval of sex with boys. This led to many other problems and complications in her life. But through Christ she experienced much redemption and now has a godly husband and a wonderful family. Despite all the victory she still struggles with the shame of it all and the hope of every gaining victory over the lies of the enemy. Her story seems to have really started with demonic oppression that told her lies feeding off of the neglect of love and protection from her father.
Our society is very secular. The modern rise of science has eliminated many superstitious beliefs and relegated the supernatural to ridiculous TV shows hunting for ghosts with electronic equipment. The realm of the paranormal or supernatural is largely considered a figment of people's imagination. A secular society enlightened by modern science has no room for such silly beliefs as ghosts, angels, and demons. Even some scholars have secularized phrases in scripture like "rulers, powers, and authorities" as merely cultural forces set against God. They are only half right. Rulers, powers, and authorities is both spirits and world forces. WWII was as much spiritual conflict as political conflict. They are missing an important part of the Biblical worldview: the reality of spiritual beings that exist as angels and demons.
Angels and demons are not psychological disorders. They are not cultural forces. They are not the ghosts of dead people. They are not imaginary creatures to rule over the simple minded with. They are not gods, demi-gods, or the like. Biblically speaking, angels are messengers created by God. They are finite personal spiritual beings but without a physical body. Demons are fallen angels who joined Satan in his rebellion against God and were cast out of heaven (Ezek. 28:12; 2 Pet. 2:4). Some cultures have considered them as intermediaries between humans and God. Hence, shamans will seek the power of spirits for either good or evil. Biblically, spirits can cause physical ailments but they are not all-powerful, all-knowing, or ever-present. They are finite limited beings that are created beings. Their greatest trick however is lies. Satan himself did so in Genesis 3 where sin entered into humanity.
Like the woman in the chapter, we all have a problem in that we are blind to the schemes of Satan and his demons. We hear a lie whispered in our head or told from someone else and we believe it. We are tempted and enticed with pleasures of this world or false saviors and we take the bait. The enemy has power over us only because we lack faith in God and give in to sin.
Perhaps you think this is all rubbish or that such things only occurred in the ancient world. It is very real and scripture says our battle is not against flesh and blood "but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Eph. 6:12, NIV). I would submit to you that no one encountered demons more than Jesus. Satan tried to kill him when he was born. He tried to deceive Jesus in the wilderness. He thought he won when he influenced Judas to betray Jesus. However, in the wisdom of God the death of Jesus on the cross was our victory and Satan's defeat.
The death and resurrection of Jesus Christ shows that Satan and demons have no power or authority over sinners or the world. Jesus defeated sin through his sinless life and by paying the penalty for our sin on the cross. He proved his power over Satan, sin, and death by his resurrection. The doctrine of Christus Victor teaches that Christ set us free from the power of Satan and his demons over us (Col. 2:13-15; Eph. 6:10-20; 1 Pet. 3:22). Some in the early church believed that Satan was owed something by God which Christ had to pay, but that is not what scripture teaches. The legal demand canceled was the debt owed to God which Satan used to shame us, guilt us, and entice us to sin.
Christians apply the truth of this victory in Christ in two ways. One, Jesus gives all authority on heaven and on earth to his disciples (Matt. 28:18). Therefore, demons can be rebuked for their lies in the name of Jesus and they must stop. Two, a Christian must resist sin and live in the power of the Spirit to be holy (Rom. 8; Eph. 6:10-20; Jam. 4:7-10). The armor of God is not a magical invisible suit one puts on. It is clothing oneself in the truth of the gospel and living a life of Christian character by faith in Christ. It is an act of faith to trust in one's righteous status before the Father through Christ and in the power of the Spirit. The heavenly Father loves us and unlike negligent earthly fathers has fought for us and defended us by provided His Son in our place. Rejecting the lies of Satan and believing the truth of God combined with resisting sin is what spiritual warfare is all about. This is done in the name of Jesus and by the power of the Holy Spirit.
No matter what your story is, or how Satan and his demons have been trying to way you down, know that Christ defeated him with his death and resurrection. The loving Father has adopted you in Christ and giving you his Spirit as a seal of your adoption (Rom. 8). Have faith in your status before God and do not listen to the lies of the enemy. The Father loves you tremendously and sent his one and only Son Jesus to set you free. Live in light of the victory of Jesus Christ!
