Post by Daniel on Jun 9, 2016 8:43:37 GMT -5
Christians on Offense ‘Storming the Gates of Hell’
By David Fiorazo on June 7, 2016
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. Matthew 16:15-18
Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. 2 Timothy 2:3-4
Why does it seem Christians are almost always on the defensive rather than preaching the gospel, influencing culture, and standing up for Christ and His truth? Jesus Christ enlisted us in active service, and we are to make it our goal to obey and please Him (2 Corinthians 5:9). As soldiers of an eternal army, we cannot afford to be indifferent or ignorant about the intensifying battle all around us. When we are silent and fail to engage in warfare, we become ineffective for God’s kingdom including the important work of making disciples.
Here’s an excerpt from The Cost of Our Silence (chapter 14).
This epic battle between the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of darkness is real whether you believe the Bible or not. Jesus came to earth to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8), and when He returned to heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to help us fight (John 14:12).
The leaders of the armies are Jesus Christ whom God has exalted forever far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come (Ephesians 1:21); and Satan, the temporary ruler of this world (John 12:31) whose time is short (Revelation 12:12).
God allows us to choose what part we will play in advancing His kingdom. We can choose to do nothing or we can respond to His call and fight the good fight of faith (2 Tim. 4:7). Yes, it is risky, certainly unpopular, and potentially dangerous, but without risk, we experience little reward and we often suffer repercussions for not taking action.
Lord of the Rings’ fans will remember the scene in The Two Towers in which the massive, evil army of Mordor was on the move toward Gondor in their quest to wipe mankind off the face of the earth. After being warned about the enemy advancing, Aragorn encouraged the king to ride out and face the enemy. Théoden, King of Rohan, declared, “I will not risk open war.”
Aragorn replied with truth,
“Open war is upon you whether you would risk it or not.”
Instead, the king ordered the city to evacuate and retreat to Helm’s Deep, a fortress that had kept them safe in the past… As a result of not staying to fight, many more lives were lost.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:10-12).
Do we avoid conflict and run away when life gets difficult or when we are faced with opposition?
For some, their security is money; for others, that security comes from family, a job, a relationship, the Internet, or even church activity. Some escape to entertainment; others to whatever provides immediate gratification. Our culture will only get worse if we continue to seek comfort, worldly things, or our own happiness while avoiding the battle for souls and ignoring our mission in Christ.
Most of us would acknowledge the enemy’s army of wickedness has wreaked havoc in our country by chipping away at its Christian foundation. What we see today is the result of our silence and inactivity, but the Bible teaches that when we choose to take a stand for righteousness, we have the power in Christ to overcome Satan and his schemes.
The question is: Do we have the will?
Christians are instructed to Resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7). We are not to be the ones who run away. Peter reminds us that other true believers around the world are resisting the enemy by standing for Christ in the face of persecution , and they are enduring the same experiences of suffering (1 Peter 5:9) we are; and much worse.
After we spend time in the Word and in prayer and put on the armor of God and after we do everything we can to prepare for the attacks of the enemy, Paul tells believers to stand firm.
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 (Ephesians 6:13).
You and I have three possible choices:
1. We will put on our spiritual armor, engage in battle, and not only stand against the enemy but stay on offense by wielding the sword of the Spirit. We will stand on God’s Word in all things and battle until the end, hoping to hear the Lord say to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
2. We will refuse to take our faith and God’s Word seriously, perhaps even suggesting the Bible is not literal, but figurative. As a result – though we profess to be Christian – we fail to build on a proper foundation, and we conform to the world, falling prey to the devil’s schemes. This will have repercussions on many souls in our sphere of influence.
3. (Most common) Though we say we trust God, believe the Bible, and are somewhat aware of the battle, we will avoid or ignore it and live this temporary life for ourselves and our earthly families. We may do some good works, but fail to see the big picture. This will often produce an empty existence, and as our faith becomes lukewarm, our lives will be of no consequence where God’s purposes and eternity are concerned.
The apostle Paul describes all the pieces of the armor of God, and everything we need for battle is provided for us. Each piece of armor represents a blessing in Christ: Salvation, righteousness, truth, the gospel, faith, and the Word of God. In that order, we have helmets, breastplates, belts, shoes, shields, and swords, but one area is left uncovered – our backsides. Why?
Two reasons: We are only supposed to be moving forward, and God has our backs! He will not only lead us, but He is our rear guard as well.
The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God … For you shall not go out in haste, and you shall not go in flight, for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard (Isaiah 52:10, 12).
The path of least resistance however, has been to not even show up for the battle and not let anyone else know what side we’re on. Rather than stand firm when opposition increases, many of us duck conversations about sin, the Bible or our faith so we won’t ruffle any feathers. Thus, we avoid the very mention of Jesus’ name in public.
Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven (Matthew 10:32-33).
What if we get laughed at or ridiculed for being a Christian? Press on.
What if they claim we’re intolerant because we say Jesus is the only way? Press on.
What if people say we hate women because we are pro-life? Press on.
What if the most conservative Christian candidates do not get elected? Press on.
What if judges overrule marriage laws the people voted for? Press on.
What if they say we’re racist for opposing the policies of a progressive president? Press on.
What if homosexuals call us hateful for saying their lifestyle is a sin? Press on.
What if we get arrested or fined for preaching the gospel? Preach on.
And what if people in our own church say the Bible is not inerrant, there are no moral absolutes, and we are taking our faith too seriously? Press on!
We’re not to be overcome by evil; we are supposed to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). Today’s remnant of committed believers must not follow the pattern of the [lukewarm] church in the last hundred years. We will reap a harvest if we do not grow weary of the battle and give up (Galatians 6:9).
There is no retreat! There is no waving the white flag...
continue reading
davidfiorazo.com/2016/06/storming-the-gates-of-hell-christians-on-offense/
By David Fiorazo on June 7, 2016
He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. Matthew 16:15-18
Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. 2 Timothy 2:3-4
Why does it seem Christians are almost always on the defensive rather than preaching the gospel, influencing culture, and standing up for Christ and His truth? Jesus Christ enlisted us in active service, and we are to make it our goal to obey and please Him (2 Corinthians 5:9). As soldiers of an eternal army, we cannot afford to be indifferent or ignorant about the intensifying battle all around us. When we are silent and fail to engage in warfare, we become ineffective for God’s kingdom including the important work of making disciples.
Here’s an excerpt from The Cost of Our Silence (chapter 14).
This epic battle between the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of darkness is real whether you believe the Bible or not. Jesus came to earth to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8), and when He returned to heaven, He sent the Holy Spirit to help us fight (John 14:12).
The leaders of the armies are Jesus Christ whom God has exalted forever far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come (Ephesians 1:21); and Satan, the temporary ruler of this world (John 12:31) whose time is short (Revelation 12:12).
God allows us to choose what part we will play in advancing His kingdom. We can choose to do nothing or we can respond to His call and fight the good fight of faith (2 Tim. 4:7). Yes, it is risky, certainly unpopular, and potentially dangerous, but without risk, we experience little reward and we often suffer repercussions for not taking action.
Lord of the Rings’ fans will remember the scene in The Two Towers in which the massive, evil army of Mordor was on the move toward Gondor in their quest to wipe mankind off the face of the earth. After being warned about the enemy advancing, Aragorn encouraged the king to ride out and face the enemy. Théoden, King of Rohan, declared, “I will not risk open war.”
Aragorn replied with truth,
“Open war is upon you whether you would risk it or not.”
Instead, the king ordered the city to evacuate and retreat to Helm’s Deep, a fortress that had kept them safe in the past… As a result of not staying to fight, many more lives were lost.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms (Ephesians 6:10-12).
Do we avoid conflict and run away when life gets difficult or when we are faced with opposition?
For some, their security is money; for others, that security comes from family, a job, a relationship, the Internet, or even church activity. Some escape to entertainment; others to whatever provides immediate gratification. Our culture will only get worse if we continue to seek comfort, worldly things, or our own happiness while avoiding the battle for souls and ignoring our mission in Christ.
Most of us would acknowledge the enemy’s army of wickedness has wreaked havoc in our country by chipping away at its Christian foundation. What we see today is the result of our silence and inactivity, but the Bible teaches that when we choose to take a stand for righteousness, we have the power in Christ to overcome Satan and his schemes.
The question is: Do we have the will?
Christians are instructed to Resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7). We are not to be the ones who run away. Peter reminds us that other true believers around the world are resisting the enemy by standing for Christ in the face of persecution , and they are enduring the same experiences of suffering (1 Peter 5:9) we are; and much worse.
After we spend time in the Word and in prayer and put on the armor of God and after we do everything we can to prepare for the attacks of the enemy, Paul tells believers to stand firm.
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 (Ephesians 6:13).
You and I have three possible choices:
1. We will put on our spiritual armor, engage in battle, and not only stand against the enemy but stay on offense by wielding the sword of the Spirit. We will stand on God’s Word in all things and battle until the end, hoping to hear the Lord say to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”
2. We will refuse to take our faith and God’s Word seriously, perhaps even suggesting the Bible is not literal, but figurative. As a result – though we profess to be Christian – we fail to build on a proper foundation, and we conform to the world, falling prey to the devil’s schemes. This will have repercussions on many souls in our sphere of influence.
3. (Most common) Though we say we trust God, believe the Bible, and are somewhat aware of the battle, we will avoid or ignore it and live this temporary life for ourselves and our earthly families. We may do some good works, but fail to see the big picture. This will often produce an empty existence, and as our faith becomes lukewarm, our lives will be of no consequence where God’s purposes and eternity are concerned.
The apostle Paul describes all the pieces of the armor of God, and everything we need for battle is provided for us. Each piece of armor represents a blessing in Christ: Salvation, righteousness, truth, the gospel, faith, and the Word of God. In that order, we have helmets, breastplates, belts, shoes, shields, and swords, but one area is left uncovered – our backsides. Why?
Two reasons: We are only supposed to be moving forward, and God has our backs! He will not only lead us, but He is our rear guard as well.
The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God … For you shall not go out in haste, and you shall not go in flight, for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard (Isaiah 52:10, 12).
The path of least resistance however, has been to not even show up for the battle and not let anyone else know what side we’re on. Rather than stand firm when opposition increases, many of us duck conversations about sin, the Bible or our faith so we won’t ruffle any feathers. Thus, we avoid the very mention of Jesus’ name in public.
Therefore everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven (Matthew 10:32-33).
What if we get laughed at or ridiculed for being a Christian? Press on.
What if they claim we’re intolerant because we say Jesus is the only way? Press on.
What if people say we hate women because we are pro-life? Press on.
What if the most conservative Christian candidates do not get elected? Press on.
What if judges overrule marriage laws the people voted for? Press on.
What if they say we’re racist for opposing the policies of a progressive president? Press on.
What if homosexuals call us hateful for saying their lifestyle is a sin? Press on.
What if we get arrested or fined for preaching the gospel? Preach on.
And what if people in our own church say the Bible is not inerrant, there are no moral absolutes, and we are taking our faith too seriously? Press on!
We’re not to be overcome by evil; we are supposed to overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). Today’s remnant of committed believers must not follow the pattern of the [lukewarm] church in the last hundred years. We will reap a harvest if we do not grow weary of the battle and give up (Galatians 6:9).
There is no retreat! There is no waving the white flag...
continue reading
davidfiorazo.com/2016/06/storming-the-gates-of-hell-christians-on-offense/