The Kingdom Suffers Violence…
Hey Friends,
If you are one of the more discerning readers, you may have detected a somewhat harsher tone than usual in my last few blogs. It is because lately I have faced some serious personal difficulties involving tough leadership decisions. Leadership has some great perks and privileges. But it also has some difficult avenues. Decisions can be part of the difficulties. Yesterday, I wrote about making leadership decisions with your head and not your heart. This can be more than just a chore.
As leaders in the Kingdom of God we must remember what the Scripture says: “The Kingdom suffers violence and the violent take it by force.” This is more than a strong verse; it is an attitude that leaders must embrace. We are at war with darkness and the battle is raging. Hell will always pull out all the stops to hinder us. Many times we wander around and forget we are at war.
As leaders we are marshaling every resource at our disposal to advance the cause of Christ and His Kingdom. Sound hard? It is! It requires improving leadership in so many areas, both personally and in the church. Where are you strong? Where do you need to grow? This is not a time to play games but to get serious about our calling.
My little brother has been missing for the last two months. We have no idea where he could be. He is not alone. Millions in America are missing from the fold. Millions are AWOL and some are POWs. The devil takes no prisoners but drags his prey to hell. WE are God’s only line of defense. He wants to use us in His rescue of the lost.
Just a thought.
Yours to count on,
Pastor
5 Comments
Pastor,
Just wanted to let you that I am saying a prayer for you and your family this morning.
Where am I strong? And Where am I weak or need to grow? My answer is, in the same place,but that’s where Jesus meets me.In my weakness,after I have suffered with it and give up and look up I find in the clouds of distress a glorious sight,Jesus with power to strengthen all who look to Him for LIFE.Then am I strong.Peter knew this well.{Jn.6:68,1 Pet.5:10,Lk.22:32} And it produced in him victorious transformation…Jn 21. It is profoundly true that all it takes is faith the size of a mustard seed to see growth expound. Most often though, it takes adversity or an adversary, if you will, to call on Jesus for that kind of faith. It is need that compells us. What more than loved ones can compell us to our knees? We will move Heaven and hell to try to get help for a loved one who is in danger of dying. Think as a parent would think. Call on Heaven and as the devil slaps our face we, if wise, will look to Jesus.If he tries to steal what is precious to us we who believe in our Saviour will give him our coat also{Lk.6:29}.The Word of God is what covers us, His Blood, so in suffering we began to walk out His Word as we give it to the devil, he flees. Our ability to resist is this…The Word{Jam 4:7-8}.That’s how I can be strong and weak, move Heaven and hell, and be as a child but grow. Not only grow but be a part of God’s uncomprimising ARMY. As Jesus instructed His disciples to sell thier garment {a synonym of the coat} for a sword {Lk.22:36} I can now walk in discernment and accurately yield His sword were it is most needed in this battle. I had to suffer first to have need enough to try and understand what it means to change from glory to glory and to have pleasure in trials that ripped at my heart and to ask for enough strength to stand while still on my knees.{2 Cor.3:18 and 2 Cor. 12:9-10} With all this it is inevitable, that we come to the understanding that our weapons are not carnal{2 Cor.10:4}, because alone all I can do is watch as they die,but with Jesus I can have peace in these trials, because He has overcome the world.{Jn.16:33} I am with Peter and pray for all God’s children to grasp hold, as he did, that for us we have no where else to go except to Jesus, becuase His Word, alive and breathing still and for ever, are we given comfort, understanding,freedom,faith,perserverance,purpose, strength and vision to just name a few. My heart goes out to all who has AWOL loved ones and I count myself in your company and cry with you because there are many in my life, but by His grace, I sleep not ’til they come home.
Yes, we are certainly God’s line of defense. Let’s be sure to remember that we are charged to be on “Offense” for the gospel. Let’s get Satan and his army on the defensive. In the case of the Christian, scripture teaches that an effective defense IS an aggresive offense!
As someone that got my spiritual tail kicked about 9 months ago, I have learned that the spiritual armor that God gives us is crucial. Enthusiasm for God is not enough, because ethusiasm can be steered off course by our sin and spiritual forces.
Although this is probably well known by most, I’ll share my understanding of the armor that I have been taught by God over time. The belt of truth gives us a foundation and an understanding of true reality. The breastplate of righteousness is both the annointing of righteousness (Jesus’ righteousness)that God gives his children and the perfect righteousness that God builds in us over time. The sandals of the gospel of peace are how we stand prepared and stand strong when under opposition(Roman sandals had studded soles for traction)… resting on the truth that God gives us support through any assault if we rely on him. The shield of faith is relying on the truth from God to counter the lies of the enemy. The helmet of salvation is the recognition that God saves us from death if we rely on him… not only our physical death, but also the death that comes from temptation and sin. The spiritual sword of the Word is how we can discern and separate God’s will and evil (I picture a scalpel).
I pray for the spiritual armor of God most mornings at work. From what I’ve learned, fundamental defense comes from understanding and trusting the power, support, and wisdom of God.
Yes- we are at war and there is no time to mess around. I have been convicted recently more and more that I need to “get down to business” with the Lord. Games are for those who don’t understand the life and death situation of the Kingdom.
Pastor, I am sure that I am just one person out of thousands that stands with you in the Spirit. We are praying for you during this “decision making” time and trusting that God is speaking to you with clarity (and thanking God that you share your heart openly). I appreciate the sacrifices you make to shepherd all of us according to God’s will.