Call me “girlie” but I don’t love battle-talk. That’s probably why I find myself baffled by the “grrrrr” factor in my two young boys. But if we call ourselves Christians, then a war wages all around us whether we engage it or not. It’s a war for our affections.
It feels like we fight against the people we see. It feels as if we wrestle against our husbands or coworkers or children or parents. But in actuality we war against “principalities of darkness”. (Ephesians 6:12-13) Did I just lose some of you?
If we’re His, then we war against the enemies of God. They hate Him. So they hate us. And they will relentlessly attack those who threaten the enemy’s agenda.
But Jesus says to “rejoice”.
Last week we memorized Matthew 5:11-13. In that passage Jesus says to rejoice and be glad when others revile and persecute and speak falsely against us on His account. Why rejoice? Because the reward is great in heaven.
But it makes me think that if I’m not being reviled and persecuted for righteousness sake then I probably don’t pose a threat to the enemy. He prowls for those reflecting the One True King.
A war wages all around us. It’s a war of lies. But God strengthens us to stand strong. His Word is our sword. (Ephesians 6:17) Let’s lift it high and engage the battle.
14 You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Matthew 5:14-16
