“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be men of courage; be strong. Do everything in love.” 1 Cor 16:13-14 (NIV)
Living the Christian life in a fallen world mandates readiness in spiritual warfare. The battle rages as God combats the demonic forces of evil in heavenly realms. The devil cannot attack God, so he chooses to attack that which is closest to the heart of God, namely, every child of God. As fully devoted followers of Christ, we are not exempt from the reality of spiritual warfare. We cannot live the Christian life as though there were no enemy. The enemy has mobilized his entourage to seek to derail the devotion of every disciple of Christ.
- “‘Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.'” Josh 1:9 (NIV)
Be on your guard. Be vigilant. Be alert. Be ready. This is no time to be “at ease in Zion” or to slip into a spiritual slumber. God has called us to put on His full armor and to combat the enemy by standing firm. We have been saved by grace through faith and we are to walk by faith. We are to take up the shield of faith and extinguish the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Be courageous. We are children of the living God. Be strong. We are supernaturally empowered by the Holy Spirit and supernaturally protected by the Prince of Peace. Do everything in love. The weapons of our warfare are not worldly, but heavenly. The love of God has brought us from death unto life. Live a life of love and radically display the love of Christ to our lost and dying world.
Pursuing God,
Stephen Trammell
Executive Pastor
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