It's War

Have you ever noticed that when you make a stand for The Kingdom of God the heat and intensity of the battles increase substantially? This became very evident for me this week, on the back of my choice to persue sexual abstinence and purity. My mind and body were bombarded with temptation and pressure of epic proportion. The father through this scripture that came up gave me a solid reminder that the battle is originated outside the flesh and we have a real enemy.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

Ephesians 6:12 NIV

I am also reminded that Jesus said in this world we would have trouble, but to take heart because he has overcome the world. James also said that we should rejoice in trial because the results build something into our lives and character. I also thought of the armour of God to wage this battle. That immediately follows the scripture above.

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Ephesians 6:13‭-‬18 NIV

One of the weapons at our disposal is the word of God, and thankfully it was powerfully preached on Sunday and the following is an extract and my thoughts on the matter.

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.  For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins.  Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:3‭-‬6‭, ‬8‭-‬11 NIV

From this I first understand that we can only live a Godly Life through our knowledge of Jesus Christ. Not just a head knowledge like we know of him, but a deeper personal knowledge of HIM intimately. And that through this intimate relationship and knowing him we get to participate in HIS Devine nature, which is Christ in Us, and escape the corruption of the world and it's desires if we abide (live together with Christ, him in me and me in him). This is very deep and intensely intimate. 

We have a responsibility to allow God to work into us Godliness or Christ likeness by attending as it were to the fruit of the spirit as in Galatians 5 type of characteristics as seen above in bold, faith, goodness, knowledge, self control, perseverance and Godliness. This is Christ likeness in knowing HIM.

The amazing promise is that as we grow in these Christ like qualities we become fruitful, as we are living in the vine (which is Jesus) and are productive and effective in our pursuit to KNOW Christ, and count as garbage everything outside of Knowing HIM intimately. 

This is an essential part of Knowing your identity and purpose in him. Confirming your calling and election, Jesus chose me, I did not chose him, so that I may bear much fruit and live a life that conquers sin and death.  I am working at living from a place of victory, as Jesus has already won the victory, and I will be rewarded if I persevere and conquer, to this I am called, and to be an ambassador of reconciliation and declare the good news and share my story.  We overcome by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. 

If we continue to persevere in knowing Jesus and persue his will and purposes as per the scripture we will not stumble, what a hope we have. Keep your eyes on him, keep your ears open and obey.

In conclusion the battle is fought and won by surrender to Christ 



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