Dear Ones:
There comes a point in the course of life, and Christian experience (perhaps at different times…), when there is a specific “call to arms” by the Holy Spirit. Often this pertains to a certain set of circumstances, or conviction, but primarily because the Spirit of God works in our hearts to persuade us that now is that time, and engagement of the enemy is inevitable. Such is the time in which we live. But what is the nature of this “engagement,” and what are the basic elements that comprise this act and attitude?
The nature of the engagement is primarily spiritual. The psalmist declares: “…GOD is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble…therefore, we will not fear.” (Ps. 46:1-2) Unless we come to grips with taking God literally as our refuge and strength, we shall not be prepared for this battle. We will fear. When the disciples were caught in a storm, “..a great tempest in the sea…the ship being covered with the waves…,” they were FEARFUL. When the Lord Jesus stilled the winds and the sea by a rebuke, the “men marvelled, saying, ‘What manner of man is this, that even the winds and the sea obey Him?'” (Matt. 8:27) Why were they fearful? They had not TAKEN Christ as their GOD, refuge and strength. They did not see Him with His authority over all, hence, they were dominated by the very real, physical wind and the waves, and possibility of losing their lives.
Paul writes to the Colossians, “For in Him (Christ) dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in Him, which is the head of ALL principality and power…having spoiled principalities, and powers, He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” (Col. 2:9-10, 15) Who is Christ to us? Have we made up our minds concerning WHO He is? Our appropriation of Christ as our refuge and strength will depend upon our vision of Him in truth. So that, if we are to engage in this spiritual battle, and be victorious in it, we must understand that the conflict is spiritual in nature, that only in Christ by the Spirit the warfare can be waged, and it is only as we have a true vision of Christ, and us in Him, that we shall be able to appropriate Him, and take our stand.
“Soldiers of Christ, arise, and put your armour on. Strong in the strength which God supplies through His Eternal Son.
“Stand then in His great might, with all HIS strength endued; and take, to arm you for the fight, the panoply of God; that having all things done, and all your conflicts past, ye may o’ercome through Christ ALONE and stand complete at last.”
Charles Wesley
Love, Dad