The world we live in hates us, or rather, it hates Christ in us. Post a Bible verse publicly on Twitter and see how quickly the comments of disdain add up. Television and movies have made Christians out to be either idiots or villains. Jesus was clear that his followers would be hated because of him (John 15:18, John 17:14) and the evidence of that hatred is more and more evident with each passing year. It is easy to become either defensive or discouraged, but we need to remember our true home and our citizenship is not of this world (Philippians 3:20). We are travelers here, chosen by God to share His gospel by the power of the Holy Spirit and with conviction that comes from being grounded in the essentials of our faith. People of the world, especially those who actively battle against Jesus actively try to suppress the truth through their actions, words, financial support, and influence on others. We live, for now, in the middle of a war for the souls of the lost and we must be unified too, as Rechab Gray preached, "fight right." It is a battleground, which is why Paul wrote using armor as imagery for making our way through each day:
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. 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…To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints. (Ephesians 6: 10-18).
How we live in the battle and how we work out our salvation should be a testimony to our changed lives. We must know and acknowledge our empowerment is not of ourselves, but of God, Himself. It is, as Gray preached, "a cosmic calling" that "requires… a comprehensive supernatural force" to live out. We must do good work here on earth, promoting justice, loving mercy, and walking humbly, while at the same time keeping our eyes and hearts turned toward heaven. God instructs us to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called" (Ephesians 4:1). How do we do that? By being imitators of Jesus, walking in love (Ephesians 5:1). By acquiescing to the fact that we cannot, by our own power, do anything without the grace of God (Ephesians 4:7).
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