Pursuing Christ is the centered Christian's life goal. Through passion, such a pursuit is made possible. It is our 109 octain fuel - totally and utterly recieved by the work and power of the Holy Spirit in each of our lives. This is Christ Jesus' gift to His followers.

Tuesday, September 27, 2005

Spiritual Warfare?



On my way to a meeting this morning to pray and talk with an guy I'm mentoring, I got into an accident that basically delayed my meeting. I mean, it wasn't a big deal, there really wasn't anything either of us could do about it, it was just that; an accident. The Sherriff's Deputy found no one at fault because of the particular situation and no one was hurt.

So my question is simple (yeah, right!): Was this spiritual warfare or was this just a coincidence where two people weren't paying attention?

Some insight on the details of what happened are as follows. I was to meet with a guy at 9 am. I left half an hour early to get to my destination with 10 minutes to spare. At least that was the plan. As I came to an intersection where the roads did not intersect at 90 degrees, visibility was poor, traffic was high and large vehicles were in the way. Leaving details out, so we don't get off on an tangent as to who was really at fault (because at this point, I don't think that matters), I want to move forward to discuss the reality of Spiritual Warfare in our lives as Christians. Satan like to attack generally two of the three types of people; 1. the spiritually unsaved or lost and 2. the Justified moving toward Christ-likeness. The third, lukewarm Christians, are rarely attacked because neither are they susceptable to loosing their salvation, but neither are they gaining souls for Christ's sake. They are generally right where Satan would have them if he had a say in it.

What is joyful to be able to report is how this guy I'm mentoring is admittedly coming out of a lukewarm relationship with Christ right now and moving forward, learning and growing in all love and grace of Jesus Christ. We discussed this this morning and how his job was trying to get people to go into work this morning and how he had actually wieghed the options of calling me and cancelling or not responding to work.

Job 1
1:12
And the Lord said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person." So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.
1:16
While he was still speaking, another also came and said, "The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you!"
1:19
and suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!"

I really believe that this was an attack to try to discourage us from meeting because Satan could discern that we, together, were going to be building one another up in Christ and he wanted that to stop. He's loosing a lukewarm Christian. I believe that Satan has this ability to attack us. So how should we handle this?

Ephesians 6
6:10
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might.
6:11
Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.
6:12
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places.
6:13
Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm.
6:14
Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,
6:15
and having shod YOUR FEET WITH THE PREPARATION OF THE GOSPEL OF PEACE;
6:16
in addition to all, taking up the shield of faith with which you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
6:17
And take THE HELMET OF SALVATION, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
6:18
With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,

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