“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; and having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.” II Corinthians 10:3-6 (KJV)
Monday, July 27, 2015
A Raging Cultural Battle
Recently
we have been immersed in the media, headlines and debates surrounding
the U.S. Supreme Court decision to “allow” same-sex “marriage”
throughout America. I can say that I am truly saddened that our
nation has embraced such sinfulness. However, what is even more
heart-breaking and shocking is to see how many professing Christians
have been indifferent to it and even more often than not, have
supported this Court decision. Because of this, I feel compelled to
share my thoughts, as well as, form a Biblical opinion on the
subject.
Thursday, July 9, 2015
CONTROL vs. KAOS: The Cosmic War
The 60s and 70s TV show “Get Smart” features a constant struggle between the secret spy organization called “CONTROL” and the international organization of evil, “KAOS”. CONTROL always defends justice while KAOS does all things for world domination or destruction through any means possible, whether right or wrong. And, of course, each episode ends with CONTROL being victorious no matter how difficult the task had been.
Now, if you are like me, you probably are thinking... “Ok, thats nice, but what does that have to do with anything?”
The plot of this old TV show appropriately illustrates the point I am presenting in this blog. That point is that there is a real and similar struggle going on in the world today. A struggle between good and evil, between justice and injustice that has been going on since almost the beginning of time. The beginning of this cosmic struggle, or more aptly called, this Cosmic War can be found in Genesis 3. After Eve ate the forbidden fruit, talking to the Serpent, God says, “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.” Here starts the Cosmic War that wages around us this very minute. There is so much that can be gleaned about this war and the qualities of it, but I would like to discuss only a few.
First, we must realize that this is a very vicious battle as the word “enmity” implies. Webster's 1828 Dictionary defines enmity as, “The quality of being an enemy; the opposite of friendship; ill will; hatred; unfriendly dispositions; malevolence.” This is not simply a dislike or displeasure between the seed of the Woman and the seed of Satan, but it is actually hostile opposition comprised of active fighting between the two.
Second, this War is between two completely opposite armies. The forces of God, which promote complete order according to His design of the world that can only lead to life through HIS redemptive process, while the enemy is a force of rebels who wish to impose chaos that glorifies themselves and can only lead to death.
Third, WE are warriors in this War whether we like it or not. In Matthew 12:30, Jesus tells us, “He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.” We have two options, either we fight with and for Christ in this war or we fight without and against Him!
Finally, this War is composed of numerous battles and only by winning each battle can we then win the War!
With this in mind, hopefully it is apparent to you that we as Christians MUST do something since mere inactivity and apathy will work against the purposes of Christ and lead to death in chaos! I think there are various things that can and should be done, but I would like to propose that we need to first and foremost, take every thought into captivity unto Christ! Paul tells us in 2 Cor. 10 that when we do this it will allow us to harness the spiritual weapons we have been given, and not only that, but will cause us to bring down the strongholds of evil! Only when we have brought ourselves into subjection and obedience to Christ can we have revenge on the disobedience of others, as this passage presents, it is important to realize that we do not wage a war with physical weapon like guns or swords, but one that is unseen, intellectual and most of all spiritual. This molds into shape a true warrior of God who has put on his proper battle gear--the girdle of Truth, the breastplate of Righteousness, boots that are the preparation of the Gospel, the shield of Faith, the helmet of Salvation, and the sword of the Spirit!
How do we align our thoughts to God's? The answer is simple really...we must converse with Him daily so we know what He truly thinks. We can do this through constant study of the Bible, which is His very words, and also through continual prayer with Him. This alone is the foundation for us to step foot into the battleground of this conflict fully prepared!
So, I leave you with this, the magnitude of this War is unimaginably great, it involves every individual and all the world. Therefore, its consequences are unimaginably large...the fate of every soul hinges on it...life or death is determined by this Cosmic War!
I ask you, will YOU promote Godly order, truth and life? Will you take the steps to properly align your thoughts with God? ...or...will you find comfort in inactivity and oppose God?
Will you fight for life or death??
Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
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