For those who have been following my series entitled ‘A Renewed Confidence’, you will remember that our primary verse is Revelation 12:11, “And they (believers in Christ) overcame him (Satan) by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony, and they (believers in Christ) did not love (agape) their lives to the death.” (NKJV) (inserts mine)
Looking at the flow of thought in Revelation 12:11, I believe that it is apparent that there needs to be a fresh alignment of our heart the Lord. Such an alignment is only possible by the power of the blood of the Lamb. As believers, we need to daily posture ourselves before the Lord, confess our sins, and allow the precious blood of the Lamb to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. We can never walk away from the work of the cross and the shed blood of the Lamb; because “without the shedding of blood, there is no remission(of sin)”(insert mine) (Hebrews 9:23b, NKJV); and Leviticus 17:11, “For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls, for it is the blood that makes atonement for the soul.” (NKJV)
A cleansed heart comes prior to the word of our testimony enabling us to overcome in midst of trials and temptations. We have considered overcoming by the blood of the Lamb enabling us to renew our confidence in the power of the blood. We have reflected upon the apathy of our heart being only kindly affectionate to the Lord; responding with self-referential service in our commitment following Him. If the words of our mouth and the meditation of our hearts are not acceptable in His sight, then our words before the world and other believers will be as described in I Corinthians 13:1-3.
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love(agape), I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love(agape) I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love (agape), it profits me nothing.” (NKJV)
[If you have not read my previous three blogs, I encourage you to do so; and if you have not read the series about our nation being a ‘Nation of POW’s, I encourage you to do that too. It will give you a sense of what is my concern for this nation and the Body of Christ.]
I am convinced that “…we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12, NKJV). These are the same one’s that Paul listed in Colossians 2:15 as being disarmed at the cross. It is one thing to recognize this, it’s another to “…withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” (Ephesians 6:13b, NKJV); and it is another to embrace Exodus 14:13-14. “And Moses said to the people, “Do not be afraid, Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, shall see no more forever. The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold (be quiet) [textual insert] your peace.” (NKJV)
Prior to verse 12, Paul writes, Ephesians 6:10, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.” (NKJV) This is not our strength nor our power. It is not our ingenuity or cleverness. Paul is verbally preparing the brethren for the reality of spiritual warfare. And then in verse 11, he tells them to get dressed for battle. He enumerates the whole armor of God. In this same verse Paul tells us why we need the whole armor of God, so that “…you may be able to stand against the wiles (scheming) of the devil.” Skipping over to verse 14- 17, Paul mentions each piece of armor and its spiritual significance. The last piece of armor mentioned is ‘sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God’. It is this piece of armor that MUST (emphasis mine) be wielded daily; especially in the hour that we are living. Verse 18, Paul instructs us what to do. He says, “praying (emphasis mine) always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” (NKJV) Praying is doing spiritual Warfare With Words.
Here is my concern, Satan is seeking to control this nation, suppress its liberties, oppress God’s people, and dismantle its Constitutional government. This is not new news, it is apparent from watching and listening to what is going on in our nation. Is it possible that there are Christians being buffeted about by the ‘wiles of the devil’? Is it possible that there are Christians that are a law unto themselves, living ungoverned lives? I know those are strong words; but those realities are definitely possible when you listen carefully to what some believers are saying and doing.
This brings me back to my last blog. What is your relationship to the Lord? When Jesus says, ‘Follow Me’, what is your response? Is it one of indifference, based upon a kindly affection for? or is it a growing loving relationship? What are you struggling with during this time of being ‘shut in’? What is the Lord dealing with in your life? What is your attitude regarding what is going on in the world? What spills out of you when some one bumps your cup? (not an original thought of mine; I attribute it to Judson Cornwall, that will date some of us)
Our personal response to this current ‘shut in’ will have profound consequences in our individual lives as the God’s redemptive clock ticks forward to the end of this Age.
TBC
Living Words of Encouragement 