we are called to fight
But also called to win!
We proclaim Jesus’ victory over Satan and his kingdom, his blood that cleanses from all sin, about healing for our diseases and a year of grace from the Lord.
But we also proclaim a life in godliness, harmony, love and friendship.
To achieve peace inside, we must take the fight outside.
“He disarmed the rulers and authorities and put them to open shame, by triumphing over them in him.”
Colossians 2:15.
And further, Jesus has disarmed the strong, we can plunder his house.
“Or how can someone enter a strong man’s house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man? Then indeed he may plunder his house.”
Matthew 12:29.
Satan is the god of this world, but he is disarmed.
Therefore, with the shoes of peace on we can trample on serpents and scorpions.
"Keep, I have given you authority to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall hurt you."
Luke 10:19.
"and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace."
Ephesians 6:15.
But all this that I have said so far means struggle. Struggle for our family, our children, our city and our country. We are in enemy territory.
In the world you have tribulation, says Jesus, but be bold - I have overcome the world.
«As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.»
Romans 8:36-39.
Jesus lived in the nearness and love of God, but that meant that he lived problem-free, no, on the contrary. And that also applies to us, because Jesus says: "Whoever wants to live godly in Jesus Christ will be persecuted!"
Jesus tasted this.
"And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."
Luke 4:16-19.
But what happened next? The people of Nazareth tried to kill Jesus.
“And they rose up and drove him out of the town and brought him to the brow of the hill on which their town was built, so that they could throw him down the cliff.”
Luke 4:29.
But Jesus turned and walked through the crowd. No one can stop the gospel, no one can stop you and me. For the spirit that is in us is stronger than the one that is in the world.
In the world you have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world, says Jesus.
Nevertheless, we continue to fight in prayer. Prayer in the Holy Spirit. Strong prayer. Prayer in tongues.
“For one who speaks in a tongue speaks not to men but to God; for no one understands him, but he utters mysteries in the Spirit.”
1 Corinthians 14:2.
The spiritual battle may remind us of the Second World War.
Freedom from Nazism.
During World War II, air superiority was crucial.
The British Air Force with its Spitfires defeated the German fighter planes.
In addition, England developed radar before the Germans so that they could see when the German planes came over the English Channel.
We are called to see in the Spirit.
We are called to shoot down enemy planes.
We are called to see the spiritual situation in our area.
We are called to overcome the evil spirit army in the sky.
We do it for our country, our city, our family and our children.
For how can Satan wreak havoc when he is disarmed?
Now in the end times, God calls us to prayer.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
Ephesians 6:10-12.
How do we do this then?
"praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,"
Ephesians 6:18.
We are called to win, we win if we want to.
And it is quite possible to stand after overcoming everything.
"Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm."
Ephesians 6:13.
And Paul says in the letter to the Romans:
"Now, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Romans 8:37-39.
We are winners.
