“And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon (Satan); and the dragon fought against his angels, and prevailed not…” Revelation 12:7
Dear Ones:
If ever there was a verse of Scripture that reveals to us the “aggressive posture of faith,” it is this one which depicts “war in heaven” between Michael and his angels, and those of Satan. That which is most encouraging about this conflict is that the enemy did not prevail, but was “cast out” of heaven. We find in the book of Job that Satan had been “…going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.” (Job 1:7) In the Gospels we see Jesus in the wilderness, Satan also present, and tempting Christ. However, it is when the Lord Jesus is on the cross, and He utters the words, “It is finished,” that something marvelous occurs. Not only does Christ by His death open up for all mankind, a “new and living way” into His presence, but also, according to the writings of the Apostle Paul: “(Christ)…and spoiled principalities and powers, and made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” (Col. 2:15) In his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle speaks of Christ having been raised from the dead by the Father, and being set, “… at His own right hand in heavenly places, far above ALL principality, and power, and might and dominion.” (Eph. 1:20) The warfare we first see in heaven was transferred to earth. On the cross, the Lord Jesus Christ, overcame “all the power of the enemy,” and released mankind from the tyranny of his oppression. It would be as every individual who would come to Christ by the grace of God, and submit himself or herself to the authority of Christ, that the victory of Christ would be applied to their lives. BY the Holy Spirit, all would become possible, so that Christ’s victory could be known in each individual life. In light of the ongoing spiritual conflict on this earth, though Christ has won the victory, what is God’s “call to commitment” for every believer?
In Christ’s dealing with a centurion, mentioned in Matthew’s gospel, He declares of this man: “…I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.” (8:10) Why did He say this? The centurion, whose servant was very sick, revealed to the Lord Jesus that his faith was based on an understanding of a concept of authority. The centurion had seen how Christ was submitted to the higher authority of His Father, even as he was in some degree submitted to Cesar. As such, the only issue was that of the “will” of the One who had all authority, His word being declared. This centurion was a man who was committed to obey Cesar, as he was under his authority. He was a man who also was committed to believe God, submitting himself to the authority of Christ, hence he called Him, Lord. The result of such commitment, such faith, was the healing of the centurion’s servant. The “call to commitment” is one where the believer submits himself to the authority of Christ as Lord, and King. It is then that the authority of the King will reveal itself in the life of the believer.
It was on a day, when Jesus was walking by the sea of Galilee, that He saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew. We do not know how much contact those men had had with Christ, or how much they had heard Him speak, and seen His miracles. What we do know is that when He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men,” (4:19) they left their nets and followed Him. They understood that to “follow Christ,” all things would become of lesser importance. In that call was the appeal for them to submit to the authority of Christ, as Lord and King. In the measure that they understood this, they obeyed, thus becoming Christ’s disciples, and eventually, His Apostles.
Dear Father, Open our eyes to see the immense privilege of “following” Christ, submitting to His authority, and knowing that authority in our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad