One nation was being crushed by another and one city by another, because God was troubling them with every kind of distress. 2 Chronicles 15: 6, NIV.
Dear God, as we return to You today, we realize that we have made it this far, because You are in our lives. Please remain with us, and guide us in the study of Your Word. We pray this in the blessed name of Jesus. Amen.
For the past few days we have been looking at a cosmic phenomenon that is taking place in our world – the battle between good and evil. All around us, there are two opposite forces, vying for our attention, and striving for the control of our lives. Every minute of the day, one or the other, is gaining ground in our lives. Consciously, or unconsciously, we are saying yes, to one, which represents no, to the other. There is no neutral ground in this battle. Everyone will have to make a choice for one master or the other. We have not been left to walk in darkness. We have been made aware that we, “cannot serve two masters” (Matthew 6: 24a). By this time, we should be aware that God loves us, and has our best interest at heart. So it should not be difficult to make a choice; that is, if we want to live.
Let us not forget, that the field on which this battle is being fought is the mind. We did a series not long ago, about the battle for our minds. It was very clear then, as it is now, that this is not a battle with “flesh and blood” (Ephesians 6: 12). It should also be clear, that, because of this, we need spiritual weapons with which to fight. Some of these weapons have been listed in Ephesians 6: 10-18 (please read!). There is also additional information regarding the manner of our warfare, “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ” (2 Corinthians 10: 4, 5, NIV).
The Godhead – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, long to save us. They have done, and continue to do, everything in their power to save us (John 3: 16; Romans 5: 8). However, they will not force themselves into our lives. They will knock and they will wait (Revelation 3: 20). Jesus said, “. . . I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10: 10, NIV). Besides, “There is salvation in no one else! Under all heaven there is no other name for [humankind] to call upon to save them” (Acts 4: 12, TLB). If we allow Him, Jesus will save us. They will be with us to the end (Matthew 28: 20). The Holy Spirit, the “other Comforter,” has come to be with us, and in us, to keep us, “and I will ask the Father and He will give you another Comforter, and he will never leave you” (John 14: 16).
The Father “so loved that He gave . . .” The Son so loved that He came, and laid down His life. The Holy Spirit so loved, that He is here, and will be here, to the end; “to keep [us] from falling and to present [us] before [H]is glorious presence without fault and with great joy-” (Jude 24). But the choice for them to take control over our lives, is left with us. What is your answer?