God instructed believers in Mark 16:15 to '...Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature'. He has supplied all the tools needed to be able to accomplish this big task. As previously discussed, Ephesians 6:10-18 gives us a clear picture of the battle we are in. We are in a wrestling match. Included in the armor God provided for us to win the battle is the preparation of the gospel of peace.
If we don't understand that we are in a war that involves demonic attacks, this commandment to preach the gospel does not mean the same thing. If the task at hand is only a war of words, then we will not take to heart the need to put on all the armor of God.
When a believer decides to obey God and go out and witness to the world around him or her, Satan and all of his minions get very upset at that. They begin to attack you in ways that they think will stop you from doing this work. Yes, we have God living in us and we live in him, but this spiritual war will not be over until Jesus comes back to end it all. We must decide upfront to put on this armor daily, and to prepare our feet for spreading the gospel of peace.
The good news is, Jesus died for it all. He did not leave us in a war we could not win. Colossians 2:10-15 says, 'And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.' We can go up against these demonic attacks and win on a daily basis because Jesus took care of their hold over us at the cross.
2 Timothy 3:24-26 says, 'And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; and that they may recover themselves out of the snares of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will'. We are to share the gospel to a world taken captive by the devil 'at his will'. This seems pretty final doesn't it? It would be final if the devil had all the power, but he doesn't.
Notice Colossians 2:14 again. 'Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross'. We were under a false decree set in motion by Satan at the garden of Eden. Every single person who has received Christ was chosen by God before the world was even created. Ephesians 1:4-5 says, 'According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will.' God's will overcame that of Satan on the Cross so that all men might be saved.1Timothy 1:4-6 tells us, 'Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time'.
If God took care of everything, then why would we need to go up against demons? The answer to this is simple. We are still living in a world that is under the curse. Satan roams the earth seeking whom he may devour, and Satan is trying to destroy the works of God. We believers are instructed to,'be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour', 1Peter 5:8. We are not in darkness, and darkness cannot overtake light. This understood, we must be prepared daily to fight the good fight, putting on the whole armor of God, and preparing our feet to spread the good news of the Gospel. Satan has held captive the rightful heirs of God long enough. Let's prepare so we can fulfill this 'Great Commission' God has set before us.
Continue to...Romans road revisited part 3: understanding who you are in Christ
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