CHRIST'S WARRIORS OF SPIRITUAL WARFARE
The following comments are taken from the scriptures and reflect my thoughts about these verses. Specifically regarding the spiritual warfare we see taking place today and the mission of those who profess faith in the Savior, our Lord Jesus Christ.
I recommend reviewing each verse and filling in, by the spirit, your discernment and inspiration for your own best understanding. Always backup your own feelings and impressions with the actual word of God. It's okay to put things into your own understanding to help you better understand, but be sure you're not changing the meaning altogether. Examine the word, research the words, and examine yourself. The best way to be sure is to rightly divide the word in prayer and with a discerning spirit. Always cross referencing, balancing scripture against scripture.
Let's begin.
Whoever knows God listens to The Spirit, and In this way they know the Spirit of truth and can distinguish the spirit of error. By his Spirit they exper spiritual guidance as it was in the beginning.
(1 John 4:4-6)
They will prayer continuously for the joy of the brothers and sisters in Christ. (Philippians 1:4)
God is always with them, he justified them, and He conquers all through them.
(Romans 8:38-39)
They are His creation and redeemed recreation. He is with them, he saves them.
(Isaiah 43:1-3)
They do not do His work for profit, in Christ they are sent to speak in sincerity.
(2 Corinthians 14:17)
God forgave their sin, lives within them, and through them, by his word, God disarms the enemy.
(Colossians 2:13-15)
In Christ they are immovably firm in their claims. Their work is never in vain. In him they have victory.
(1 Corinthians 15:57-58)
Their message among the wicked: Every believer, keep faith and hope. The hope of salvation in Jesus Christ.
(Romans 10:13)
They bring God's final word: be strong, stand firm, keep watch against the lies of the Devil. Put on the full armor of God.
(Ephesians 6:10-18)
Just like the rest of the world, they were also obeying the devil, they were children of wrath, following their passions, desires, and inclinations. And now they affirm God's judgment and share their stories about his mercy. They are alive, together In Christ.
(Ephesians 2:1-10)
They share their confessions and pray that those who will listen will have the power to understand, grow in faith and live for Christ Jesus, accomplishing all that God intends for them.
(Ephesians 3:-14-21)
Friends,
In these times, it is like the days of Noah. Every thought and intent of the wicked people are evil at all times. All evil thoughts and intentions have been upgraded by the technology of this age. Sin 2.0 has replaced the wickedness of the first age. The violence and depravity of this age is cavalier, and careless. Now, more than any time before, the coming of the Son of man is near. Now, more than any time before, the children of God must learn to distinguish the truth from error. Now, we live in a season of creeping cultural confusion and deception. Now, more than ever we need to understand that truth doesn't become truth because you believe it. Truth is truth regardless what you believe. And likewise deception is deception, whether you agree that it is or not. A lot of people are sincere, sincerely wrong. There's only one way to safely traverse the confusion. You must listen to the Spirit of Truth. It's your mission. You're a warrior in God's army.
You are the church.
When you rightly discern and divide the Word of God, you are the church.
When you share your confession and faith in Christ's resurrection and return, you are the church.
When you lift up your brothers and sisters in prayer, you are the church.
When you stand firm in your hope you've found in Jesus, and you spread that sincere message of love, you are the church.
When you put that word and faith into action, feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, you are the church.
When you walk with a friend who is living in despair, and you speak words of encouragement and hope, you are the church.
When you teach these lessons to your children and nurture another generation that better understands the grace and mercy of God, you are the church.
When you gather up your resources, and share with those who have not, you are the church.
And when you love one another, living at peace by the Spirit of God, every day cultivating that soil where God has placed you, you are his warrior gardener, planting there the seeds of truth found in God's word. You are walking on his hand picked path that he created for you. In that way you are the church.
The church is in you. You are his church. Like the birds who wake the day every morning, no matter where in the world they are, you too are singing the praises of our Lord and God Jesus Christ in the way he made for you.
Like in the book of Acts chapter 26, the Apostle Paul, imprisoned, was happy and found joy to have the opportunity to share his confession and story in Christ. He was happy to share about hating Jesus. He was happy to share about seeing Jesus. He was happy to share about learning about the redemption he found in Christ. He was happy to talk about his work in the faith. And he tried to convince everyone he met. Ultimately, Paul had one sincere agenda,
Acts 26:29 Paul said, “It is not important if it is easy or if it is hard. I pray to God that not only you but that everyone listening to me today could be saved and be just like me—except for these chains I have!”
He is the church.
You are the church.
Amen?