“It’s very dangerous putting them together,” warns Jedi master Mace Windu. “I don’t think the boy can handle it.”
On those words turns the Star Wars epic, Revenge of the Sith. In fact, the rescued chancellor, Palpatine, does use his powers of the Sith to seduce young Anakin into joining the dark side of the Force. In exchange for his loyalty to the man who would become Emperor, Anakin Skywalker becomes Darth Vader, Dark Lord of the Force and commander of the Empire’s forces.
Anakin’s descent into evil is emotional; who likes to see a really good guy seduced into becoming really bad? But perhaps we see something of ourselves in Anakin. Our good intentions often give way to selfishness. Our resolutions to improve lose their meaning within days. Our desire to get ahead pushes more deserving people toward the back.
A force within tempts us with promises of fulfillment and personal powers. “Make your own truth,” it says. “Do whatever you like; the outcome will outweigh any negative consequences.” It is dangerously seductive, and we consistently fall to its persuasive power.
Consequences Beyond Expectation
A long time ago in the galaxy we live in, a seductive promise entrapped Adam and Eve. As God’s first human creations and his personal friends, they had every prospect of greatness. But that model for Siths—Satan—seduced them into believing that there was more to be gained in coming over to his side.
But his side had dark consequences. Adam and Eve’s choice violently affected their lives—expulsion from their perfect setting, eventual physical death, and spiritual separation from God. It has since affected every man and woman who has ever lived. The Bible, God’s guidebook for mankind, says, “Sin came into the world through one man [Adam], and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned” (Romans 5:12).
Sin works from within each of us. It’s the dominating inner force that wants to have its own way every day. That’s what makes sin such a seductive, powerful enemy of our spiritual well-being. Yet if people don’t seek the only remedy for this evil, they will be separated from God forever. “Whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God” (John 3:18).
Conquering the “Force” Within
Like Anakin, we’re seriously outmatched. We’re helpless to overcome this inner enemy and repay God for the damages our sins have caused. But God not only lives in light; he sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to bring spiritual light into this spiritually dark, sin-dominated world.
Jesus stood in for us all when he died on the cross, taking on himself the cumulative consequences of the sins of every person who will ever live. “Christ . . . suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18). Because he is God, became man, and lived a perfect life, Christ had the credentials to take the death penalty that we all deserve. He substituted himself for us so that the penalty of sin could be paid, the power of sin over us could be broken, and we could experience God’s forgiveness and favor.
Dying doesn’t seem like a good way to conquer anything, but Jesus didn’t stay dead. The Bible explains “that Christ died for our sins . . . that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4). Christ’s resurrection proved his satisfactory payment had conquered the effects of sin’s most dreaded consequence—death.
As the consequence of sin, we have only endless punishment and separation from God ahead. But Jesus offers forgiveness, eternal life, and a place in God’s family with the power to actually withstand the cunning of sin inside us and the temptations around us.
An offer from the Lord of Light
Do you regret willingly living under sin’s control? Do you believe Jesus died to take the punishment your sins deserve? Do you want to end your rebellion and come to God on his terms to be forgiven of your sins?
If your heart’s true response to those questions is “Yes!” then God wants to give you a new, everlasting life. The Bible says that “God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16, emphasis added).
If you have placed your faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection alone for eternal life, you have good reason to celebrate. You have been forgiven and brought into the family of God. Christ promises new resources to fight sin’s influence, beginning now. If God cared enough to send his Son to die for you, he cares enough to help you overcome the power of sin in your life!
Why not take a moment to talk with God in words like this: “God, I know that I have sinned, and I believe that Jesus died in my place and rose again so my sins could be forgiven. Thank you for loving me like you do. Help me to love you and learn to live in a way that pleases you.”
Please write to the address below for a free publication to help you start your new life in God’s family!
This tract expresses solely the editorial views of Good News Publishers; it is not associated in any way with the film’s creators, producers, or actors.