What is the Gospel?

 What is the best news you can imagine?  First responses people give may not be the real answer to this question.  Winning the lottery, finding a mate, or getting a bigger house may all sound appealing.  However, we all have hungers that go deeper than that along with questions we would like answered.  Is there purpose in life?  How do I fit in?  How do I deal with guilt and shame?  Why is there so much suffering and pain in life?  If God is real, how can I know Him?  We all have an emptiness in our lives that needs to be filled.  Only God can fill that spot and make us complete.  The Gospel is good news, but not just any good news.  It is the story of God reaching down to rescue humanity through Jesus Christ.  It is the story of Jesus with roots going back to the beginning of history.  This good news provides the answers to our questions about life and fulfills our deepest longings.

When God created man, He made man in His image. Genesis 1:27 reveals, “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”  What does it mean to be made in God’s image?  This was something different than all the other living creatures created.  We are created with honor and value.  Psalm 8:4-6 tells us, “what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor. You have given him dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet,” We reflect God’s nature. Psalm 92:5 speaks of God thinking.  “How great are your works, O Lord! Your thoughts are very deep!”  Instead of being robots, we are able to think and choose freely.  We are able to reason. God gave us a sense of right and wrong. Romans 2:15 explains, “They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them.”  

We have feelings and emotions just like God does. Isaiah 65:19 6:6 is an example of God having feelings.  He is affected by what we do.  “I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in my people; no more shall be heard in it the sound of weeping and the cry of distress.”  Other emotions are revealed in Exodus 4:14, Exodus 34:6-7, and Exodus 20:5 among many other places in the Bible.  Being in relationship is something we naturally desire.  Man was created with the ability and need to have fellowship with God.  1 Corinthians 1:9 says, “God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.” 1 John 1:3 pictures us in fellowship with God and others.  “That which we have seen and heard we proclaim also to you, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.” We can know God, communicate with God, and have a personal relationship with God.  

Genesis 1:26 says, “Then God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.’”  God gave man the responsibility to rule over creation, which is another trait we have that reflects God. 

God made us special and has a plan for each of our lives.  Psalm 139:13-16 reveals, “For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb.  I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from you, when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth.  Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, every one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was none of them.”  We have great worth to God.  The details of our life matter to Him.  Matthew 10:29-31 paints a picture of His intimate knowledge of us and the great value He places on us.  “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.  But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.”

All God designed is good. (Genesis 1:4, 10, 12,17-18, 21,25, 27, and 31.)  God’s ways are perfect.  2 Samuel 22:31 tells us, “This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him.”  Following His ways brings joy, peace, and fulfillment.  Proverbs 3:1-10 lists some of the benefits of doing things God’s way. 

 “My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.  Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge him,     and he will make straight your paths.  Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.  It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.” 

Unfortunately, man chose to not follow God’s way.  This had disastrous results.  Man no longer reaped the reward of following God, and fellowship with God was broken.  Romans 6:23 warns us, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”  Sin separates us from God, the fruits of a life lived following Him, and the plan He has for our lives.  We cannot be fulfilled without Him.

The Gospel starts with Genesis in the early days of creation when man chose to disobey God’s command and do things their own way. Genesis 2:16-17 tells us, “And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, ‘You may surely eat of every tree of the garden, but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.’”  They lived in the beautiful garden full of wonderful choices, but God gave them one restriction.  Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command.  Neither Adam nor Eve were willing to accept responsibility for their sin.  Instead, they tried to shift the blame (Genesis 3:12-13).   Fellowship with God was broken and man was condemned to pay for his sin.  Genesis 3:24 says, “therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. ...”  Sin breaks our relationship with God, and we have all sinned.  Romans 3:23 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  Romans 3:10-18 further emphasizes the state man is in. “As it is written: ‘None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God.  All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; no one does good, not even one.’  ‘Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.’  ‘The venom of asps is under their lips.’  ‘Their mouth is full of curses and bitterness.’ ‘Their feet are swift to shed blood; in their paths are ruin and misery, and the way of peace they have not known.’  ‘There is no fear of God before their eyes.’”  We have all failed to live up to God’s standard.

God, in His great love, provided a way for man to be restored and forgiven.  God chose to pay the price for us.  Redemption plans were put in motion.  Abraham was promised that through his seed all nations would be blessed in Genesis 22:18. As the story unfolded, David was promised a king who would reign forever from his line (2 Samuel 7:12-13).  The prophets foretold of a suffering servant who would return as eternal king to make all things right.  Isaiah 9:6 prophesies, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.  The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.”  Luke 1:31-32 is the fulfillment of this prophecy.  “And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David.”

We cannot live a perfect life.  Only Christ, who is part of the Trinity, has done that.  2 Corinthians 5:21 explains, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.”   We did not earn this.  We were all sinners.  Romans 5:8 explains the amazing truth, “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Only He could pay the price for sin.  1 Corinthians 15:1-5 tells us, “Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve.”  Jesus did not just die to pay the price for our sin, but He was then raised from the dead victorious over death (Luke 24:1-7).

Our acceptance of this truth and submission to God’s plan changes everything for us.  Romans 10:9-10 tells us, “because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”  We need to recognize our need for a saviour.  1 John 1:8-9 says, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

 God did more than forgive.  He adopted us into His family.  John 1:12 tells us, “But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”   He made us joint heirs with Christ.  He gave us riches in Heaven.  We gain eternal life.  1 John 5:13 promises, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.”

As we grow in relationship with Christ, it changes who we are and what we do.  We become more and more like Jesus.  This affects how we live in this world, and we receive the joy of His salvation.

It is not enough to know who Jesus is and what He did for us.  We must accept His sacrifice and forgiveness, and believe enough to turn control of our life over to Him.  The good news is that since we could not be good enough to have a relationship with God, He reached down and made the way for us.  Jesus is the only way to God.  John 14:6 tells us, “Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’”  We grow in faith the more we get to know God.  He helps us grow and develop godly character.  God wants to be in relationship with us.  He wants us to spend eternity with Him.

The Gospel is not just good news, it is great news!  It answers our questions about the meaning of life, gives us direction on how to live, gives us a living relationship with God as our Father, and changes everything about us.  It is the best news we can hear, and it is for all of us.

When You Are Weary

 

“The Lord God has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary.  Morning by morning he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.”  Isaiah 50:4

 

Right now, there are many weary all around us.  Perhaps you are weary as well.  This past year has brought many unexpected turns.  We are having to adjust the way we live life, the way we do ministry, and reevaluate how we can make true change in the way people are treated.

We see so much fear, distrust, anger, frustration, disunity, and uncertainty plaguing those around us.  The key to making a difference in our world is found in being taught by God on a continuing basis.  True wisdom comes from God.  Guidance comes from God.  Changes in the heart that change our lives comes from God.  The ability to truly love comes from God.  Inner peace comes from God.  We need to be in a daily relationship with Him.

For those who have more free time right now, invest in time in God’s word, prayer, and listening to God so you will be equipped to handle life’s problems.  It will also prepare you to help others.  Even without free time, time with God growing to know Him better is essential.  I want to be able to sustain the weary, but first I need to find my strength to go on through Christ.

Our family has had to deal with unemployment, the loss of two close family members, physical injuries, being separated from family and friends, water damage in four rooms, and COVID isolation this past year.  It is draining, and I am thankful I know God is bigger than anything we face.  He never leaves us alone.  Drawing closer to Him is what sustains us.

ReachGlobal Crisis Response Trauma Care has some great resources based on God’s principles to help you deal with your own trauma and to equip you to help others through trauma.  A presentation is available for churches who want to be trained to  help others.  We can be a source of healing to those around us.   Trauma Care promotes healing while developing relationships and  opening doors to share the Gospel or help people grow in Christ.   

Contact katrina.welch@efca.org to schedule a zoom training.

Be prepared

Photo by Phillip Allen

Be prepared!  That can mean different things to different people.  During COVID-19, some people think this means to have 20 packages of toilet paper and an extra freezer full of food.  To others, it means making face masks to help protect others.  It may mean reading articles on the virus and what is being done to combat it.  We might change our grocery shopping hours or order our medication refills early.

Some people feel no need to be prepared.  They feel things are blown out of proportion and life should go on as usual.  They do not wear a mask in public, stop close social contact, or wash their hands after being at a store.  Their thoughts may change if someone close to them dies from the virus.  What is the balance between being prepared and not living in a constant state of fear and anxiety?  How can we turn this into an opportunity to grow and be a witness to others?

This is not just about handling a crisis in our lives.  There is something greater we need to be prepared to handle.  We are in a spiritual battle.  This is something we all need to take seriously as we prepare to do battle.  We need to be aware of the enemies plans and work together as a team.  We need to train for battle, and most importantly, we need to wear the armor God has supplied for us.

Dr. Michael Sprague shares a great story with us on this topic.

It is important to assess what is real and how we are being affected.  We need to recognize our own thoughts and feelings so we can deal with them constructively. Denying where we are at keeps us from making needed changes.  We need to reach out to others around us to support them in ways we can.  We may be separated physically, but there are still multiple ways to stay in contact with others.  Hopefully, our attention is drawn to how to help others through this difficult time after we have done what is necessary to be emotionally healthy ourselves.

There will always be new challenges in our lives.  The most important preparations involve our relationship with God.  As we draw close to Him, He supplies all we need for anything we must face.  It is important to be prepared.  It is important to recognize we are in a battle.  If we are growing continually in our knowledge of God, we will not be caught off guard.  Recognizing His great power and unfailing love gives us the confidence and security to deal with trials.

Ephesians 6:13 contains battle instructions. "Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm." (ESV)

The Breastplate of Righteousness

Eph. 6:14 says, “Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,” (The Holy Bible:ESV, 2016)

Righteousness is defined by God’s standards.  It is being perfectly good, without sin.  Righteousness is an attribute of God.  It is something we cannot obtain by ourselves no matter how hard we try to live right.  There is a difference between imputed and practical righteousness.  Let’s look at imputed righteousness first.  

“Righteousness is an attribute which stems from a covenantal relationship. “ (Elwell, 1988)  A covenant is a lasting arrangement formed for mutual benefits that was well known in Bible times.   There were different types of covenants, but a well known one was the blood covenant.  Living in covenant meant you were entering into a relationship that would change how you lived your life.  What is true of one partner becomes true of the other as well when you share identities.

“Contracts and covenants differ in a few areas. In terms of initiation, contracts are made by the exchange of promises, whereas covenants are sworn by solemn oaths. In application, contracts are limited by the terms of the exchange of property (“this is yours, that is mine”), while covenants involve an exchange of life (“I am yours, you are mine”), which covers a virtually unlimited range of human relations and duties. In terms of motivation, contracts are based on profit and self-interest, while covenants call for self-giving loyalty and sacrificial love. Contracts are temporary while covenant bonds are permanent, even intergenerational. “(Hahn, 2016)

Each tribe would choose a covenant representative head.  This person represented the whole group.  (Remember how Goliath represented the Philistines and David the Israelites in the challenge to Israel?) Covenant ceremonies consisted of a series of exchanges between the representative heads.  An exchange of garments was an exchange of identity.  What is true of one is true of the other. An exchange of weapons showed protection.  You would fight for each other. The exchange of a token possession signified that all they had was in common- resources and debts.  They would exchange names adding part of the name from the other to their own name.  If you asked for something in the name of your covenant partner, they would fulfill your request.  The exchange of vows and blood was done with uplifted arms clasped together with the other representative at cuts in wrist so essence of one flowed into the other.  They would cut an animal and walk between the two halves of the animal signifying, “May this happen to me if I ever break the covenant.”  It is a walk into death of self and the right to independent living.  If the covenant is broken, one of the representatives must die.

God made a covenant with Abraham in Genesis 15.  God was the only one who went between the two cut pieces of the animals.  Christ is the one who paid the price for man breaking his end of the covenant.  He gave us His garment-one of righteousness- in exchange for ours of sin.  He paid the price for our sin, but we are seen as righteous in Him when we by faith accept his provision.  We are in Christ and He is in us.  We are now part of the new covenant through Jesus.

“Individuals cannot attain to righteousness, but receive it as a gift from God (Rom 3:21–5:21). There is no righteousness apart from Jesus Christ.” (Elwell, 1988)





“So God as the righteous Judge justifies—places in a right relation with himself within the new covenant of grace—those who believe the gospel of the Father concerning his Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. And he justifies Jew and Greek alike on precisely the same basis, by faith alone without works, and he makes no distinction whatsoever between the people of the Old Covenant and the Gentiles.” (Toon, 1996)

Practical righteousness is how we live day by day.  We learn to put off the old self and put on the qualities God teaches us. It is a moment by moment choice, and an area we can continually grow in.

"Therefore, since God has made them his own and given to them his righteousness, their duty and privilege is to be righteous in conduct. And he promises that on the last day and for the life of the age to come he will actually make them to be truly and effectually righteous in all that they are, become, and do.” (Toon, 1996)

"Already there is the provision of a right relation with God through the preaching of the gospel, but there is not yet the experience of the fullness of righteousness as an imparted gift. Now believers merely have the firstfruits of that which awaits them in the age to come.” (Toon, 1996)


Dr. Michael Sprague, Louisiana State Chaplain with Capitol Commission, addresses the meaning of the Breastplate of Righteousness in the following video.

Eph. 4:22-24 exhorts, “to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.“ (The Holy Bible:ESV, 2016)

“... we should see the point as the complete setting aside of the old ‘garments’, having nothing further to do with them, and replacing them by new ones. What is to be Put off is described as the old nature. As past sins are dealt with by the grace of forgiveness, and as repentance determines to abandon them completely, all that belongs to the old way of life, the way of the heathen that has been described in verses 17–19, is to be set aside decisively.“ (Foulkes, 1989)

“Practical righteousness involves both putting off and putting on. … Unlike imputed righteousness, it’s not a once-in-a-lifetime action.  It is a moment-by-moment, day-by-day, repeated choice and action.” (Shirer, 2018)

Satan will try to tell us we are not good enough and question how God could love and forgive someone who fails so often.  We need to remind him that we are clothed in Christ's garment of righteousness.  We are viewed through His righteousness, and nothing we do can change that.  

Having a vibrant relationship with God is where our focus should be. Growing in relationship with Christ will lead to growing in righteousness. “One of the most cunning tricks of the enemy is to get us to sink our energy into changing instead of focusing it on cultivating health and wellness in Christ.  But if we concentrate on having a vibrant, healthy spiritual life, we’ll automatically grow and change as a result.” (Shirer, 2018)

A special thanks to Dr. Timothy R. Valentino of Evangelical Seminary for his teaching on covenant and his slides.

Works Cited

Elwell, W. &. (1988). Righteousness. In Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible (Vol. 2) (pp. 1860-1862). Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Book House.

Foulkes, F. (1989). Ephesians: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 10, p.136. Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.

Hahn, S. (2016). Covenant. In D. B. J.D. Barry, The Lexham Bible Dictionary. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.

Shirer, P. (2018). The Armor of God. Nashville: LifeWay Press.

The Holy Bible:English Standard Version. (2016). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Toon, P. (1996). Righteousness. In Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology (pp. electronic ed., pp.688-689). Grand Rapids: Baker Book House.

Valentino, T. R. (2020).

Truth

“Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.  Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.” Ephesians 6:13-15 (The Holy Bible, ESV, 2016)


Truth holds everything else together.  It is an indispensible part of our armor that protects us in spiritual warfare. Truth does not change just because we do not accept it.  Lies from the world around us can put us in a place of defeat, despair, and feeling a lack of worth.  We need the truth that God willingly reveals to us.

John 17:17 says, “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” (The Holy Bible, ESV, 2016)  At the fall, we lost fellowship with God and lost sight of the truth.  We chose to follow our own way instead of God’s way.  God wants to redeem us, not just for eternity, but for today as well.  He wants us to choose to live for Him and yield to His way of life. 

“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (The Holy Bible, ESV, 2016)  We need to become familiar with God’s Word to learn truth.  God makes His Word come alive and changes our worldview and lives through the Holy Spirit.  We need to regularly let God reveal truth through His Word.


“When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”  John 16:13 (The Holy Bible, ESV, 2016)


“these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God.  For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.  Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God.”  1 Corinthians 2:10-12 (The Holy Bible, ESV, 2016)


We have the Holy Spirit living within us once we ask God to forgive us through Christ and invite Him into our lives.  God’s Spirit helps us understand His Word, convicts, helps us apply truth to our lives, and helps us realize who God is and who we are in relationship to God.


“It is through the work of the Spirit that we gain the ability to know God and the truth that can give us the capacity to walk in victory in our day-to-day lives.  Please note that we gain the ability to know God.  The Holy Spirit never forces us to know God or be restored by His truth.  But it is through the work of the Spirit that we are given the opportunity to exchange our viewpoint on a matter with God’s” (Evans, Victory in Spiritual Warfare, 2011)


There are many worldviews we are exposed to in our lifetime.  Truth cannot be found through just any path.  God has revealed truth to us.  He does not force us to change.  We choose each day whether or not we will allow God to be in charge.


“The truth is an objective standard of reality that stands outside our experiences and above our opinions.  That standard of truth is the Word of God.  The belt of truth is becoming more and more important because we live in a world that no longer accepts objective truth. … Truth today is totally relative, and ‘tolerance’ is the current buzzword.  That’s why you’ll hear people say, ‘What’s true for you is not necessarily true for me.’” (Evans, 1998)

“Truth is the great sanctifier. … (1) The truth about God.  Every attribute you behold engages your love, quickens your trust, makes you wish to serve Him.  (2) The truth about Christ, His work, love, humanity, Godhead, intercession, etc., is all quickening.  (3) The truth about man.  Oh, if we could have it, and see man in God’s light- something lovable in the worst, something saveable in the lowest- how it would take away our despair, engage our service, quicken our love.  Every error of life springs from an error of thought.  A lie is the root of all evil.”  R. Glover

We need to know the truth about God- who He is, what He has done for us, and how to be in relationship with Him.  2 Peter 1:3 says, “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence,” (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version, 2016)  We cannot do anything to earn our salvation or God's love.  Jesus has done it all for us, and we are part of God's family through Christ.  There is nothing that we can do that can separate us from His love.  It is important to know who we are through Christ and what that means.  Pastor Omar Zook speaks to this.

"Self-worth is not an issue of giftedness, talent, intelligence or beauty.  Self-worth is an identity issue.  Your sense of personal worth comes from knowing who you are: a child of God.” (Anderson, 1990)


“To be in Christ is to have a new identity.  Second Corinthians 5:17 declares: ‘Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!’  The only way to succeed in living the Christian life is to see yourself for who you really are in Christ. “ (Stewart, 1992)  “No person can consistently behave in a way that’s inconsistent with the way he perceives himself.  If you think you’re a no-good bum, you’ll probably live like a no-good bum.  But if you see yourself as a child of God who is spiritually alive in Christ, you’ll begin to live in victory and freedom as He lived.    Next to a knowledge of God, a knowledge of who you are is by far the most important truth you can possess.” (Anderson, 1990)


“Satan’s deception is reflected in the title we often give to ourselves: sinners saved by grace.  Yes, we were sinners, and we are saved by grace.  But we’re not sinners now.  That’s not our scriptural identity any longer.  We’re saints who occasionally sin.”  (Stewart, 1992)

It is important to realize that everything changes when we become a child of God.  We are living from a place of victory through Christ.  We are loved and forgiven and have a relationship with God.  When working with other Christians who are struggling in life, we need to help them realize who they are in Christ.  The truth is a powerful weapon.


“Generally speaking, our society isn’t one that takes strong, firm stands on truth.  Even the church, sadly, too often fails to hold clear views on right living and God-honoring choices.  Many people who call themselves Christians today don’t have a strong core belief system to govern their lives. They don’t frame their decisions around the truth of God’s Word, aren’t stable and sturdy in their convictions, are too easily injured and wounded by others, and buckle under pressure rather than standing tough and persevering.” (Shirer, 2018)

Our struggle is not against people, and we are not fighting in our own strength.  It is important to recognize lies and replace them with God's truth.  As we learn more about God and His plans, we can develop a biblical worldview.  Knowing who we are in Christ should change how we view ourselves, others, and how we look at life.  


2 Corinthians 10:3-5 encourages, “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, (The Holy Bible, ESV, 2016)

Works Cited

Anderson, N. T. (1990). Victory Over the Darkness. Ventura, CA: Regal Books.

Babler, J. (2014). Biblical Crisis Counseling: Not if But When. John Babler.

Evans, T. (1998). The Battle is the Lord's. Chicago: Moody Press.

Evans, T. (2011). Victory in Spiritual Warfare. Eugene, OR: Harvet House Publishers.

Shirer, P. (2018). The Armor of God. Nashville: Lifeway Press.

Stewart, E. e. (1992). Breaking Through to Spiritual Maturity. Gospel Light.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. (2016). Crossway Bibles.

We are in a Battle

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 tells us, “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,” (The Holy Bible:English Standard Version, 2016) 

There is a war we are involved in.  We cannot ignore it, and we cannot fight through our own strength.  God gives us His Spirit and His resources which are enough to overcome.  “A fortress or stronghold is a mind-set that holds you hostage.  It makes you believe that you are hopelessly locked in a situation, that you are powerless to change.” (Evans, 1998)  The devil does not want you to realize that God has already won the war, and He enables us to win the remaining battles.  This requires dependence on God.

“See, you are not responsible for every thought that flashes into your mind. ... But you are responsible for what you do with it once it is there.  Our job is to recognize and dismiss evil thoughts.” (Evans, 1998)  What types of thoughts does Satan use against you?  Does he say you have no value?  You can’t do what God has laid on your heart to do?  You can’t gain victory over sin in your life?  What you are doing isn’t really sin even though the Bible says it is?  Change in another’s heart is not possible?  Someone is beyond hope?  There is no hope for change in your life?  You have to earn His love?  God will not take care of you?  You have to solve problems all by yourself?  No one cares?  God cannot provide someone to help with the work that needs to be done?  Our battles are not identical, but they are shared by many.  We need to know the truth found in God’s Word and apply it to our lives.  We need to claim His promises and know that we are His beloved child.  Grace is freely given and available to us and others. God has made a way for us to be victorious in our walk with Him.

We are in a war, but our enemies are not people.  It is a spiritual battle.  Christ has already won the victory, so we are fighting from a place of victory.  Ephesians 6:10-13 explains, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.  Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.  For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.  Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” (The Holy Bible:English Standard Version, 2016)

“You can’t beat Satan in your own authority, because you don’t have any.  The key is that you have been raised and seated with Christ.  Satan knows he can handle you, but he knows he can’t handle Christ.

“The devil’s strategy is to keep you from living your life in the power of Christ, claiming the authority that is yours because you are under His blood.” (Evans, 1998)


One of the important ways we do warfare is through prayer.  “Listen to me carefully: Prayer is the mechanism that brings down the power of heaven into your experience.  It is the divinely authorized method that activates your spiritual armor and makes it effective.  … I believe I can say it as bluntly as this: Unless prayer is a vital and thriving part of your life, you will never achieve spiritual victory.” (Shirer, 2018)

Ephesians 6:18 says, “praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.  To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,”. (The Holy Bible:English Standard Version, 2016)

I think Satan tries to keep us from praying.  He distracts with good things we can do, time we can waste, stray thoughts, and just not realizing that prayer really makes a difference.  Persistence in prayer is also important.  Prayer breaks through the forces of evil to allow God to work with us.  It is inviting Him into the problems we are facing.  It is important to hold others up in prayer too.

Pastor Thom Keller of Calvary Chapel in Lebanon PA has some powerful things to say on this in the following video.

Do you pray before, during, and after ministry opportunities?  Do you pray for your co-workers?  Do you pray for the needs in the lives of those you are helping?  Do you pray for God To help you with the battles you are facing in your own personal life? Do you remember that God is bigger than anything Satan can throw at you?  Praying you will be victorious in what you are facing this month.

Works Cited

Evans, T. (1998). The Battle is the Lord's. Chicago: Moody Press.

Shirer, P. (2018). The Armor of God. Nashville: LifeWay Press.

The Holy Bible:English Standard Version. (2016). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.

Working Together as the Body of Christ

God has taken a diverse group of people and formed them into one body.  We are more than a team or a family, we are joined together in Christ to form His church.  Romans 12:5 says, “so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another”(ESV).  

“Salvation automatically makes God our Father and every other believer our brother or sister in the household of God.  Together, we are ‘heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ’ (Rom. 8:17 KJV).  Christians cannot live unto ourselves and still function as God purposed when He saved them.” (Blackaby & Blackaby, 2002)

“In God’s family we will receive strength, encouragement, and much-needed fellowship.  We will grow in wisdom and maturity as we benefit from those who have walked with God for many years.  We will find security in the family’s watch care over our life and respond to its comfort and accountability.  More than anything else, God our Father manifests His presence in special ways when two or three are gathered together (Matt. 18:20).” (Blackaby & Blackaby, 2002)


Helen Keller said, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” God does design us to work together in community and that is how we accomplish the most.  However, we are never working alone, because He is working through us.  Blackaby tells a story about a warrior whose sword is feared.  When the king has a messenger bring him the sword, he finds nothing out of the ordinary about the sword.  The messenger then explains, “If I had brought you the hand that wields the sword, you would fully understand the fear.” (Blackaby & Blackaby, 2002)  We are the sword, and God is the power behind us.


“Do you understand that the hand of God through the Holy Spirit wields a Christian’s life?  We may be common, ordinary in the eyes of men.  But when a Christian is filled with the Holy Spirit, God can bring down strongholds through our lives.  When a church is filled with the Holy Spirit, God can turn a world upside down.  The key is never our abilities, but the power of the Holy Spirit working in and through us to accomplish the will of the Father.” (Blackaby & Blackaby, 2002)

Phillip Allen, Youth Pastor at Cross Roads Church explains the importance of working together in the discipleship process.

As the church, we have a joint mission of glorifying God.  As a group, we have a vision of what God wants us to do to accomplish this.  We are willing to sacrifice some personal goals and opinions to meet a greater goal.  We do not exist to pursue our own personal fame or gain a list of accomplishments.  We want to see the whole team develop their abilities and use their gifts.  1 Cor. 12:26 reminds us, “If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.”  We are in this together, and we should care about each individual in the body.



 It is not about getting the credit for projects or building up our self-esteem.  It is not all about us.  The goal is to glorify God.  “The Lord’s original design called for all the gifts to function together, in harmony and with mutual respect.  Every gift is necessary to accomplish what He desires with His people.  No one of us alone will possess all the gifts, but altogether, we do.” (Cordeiro, 2004)


 “Few things are more beautiful to God than seeing His people serve and work together in a united rhythm.  It is like a symphony to His ears.” (Cordeiro, 2004)


As humans, we have a tendency toward selfishness and pride.  The world tells us to look out for number one and do your own thing.  The Bible tells us in Romans 14:19, “So then let us pursue what makes for peace and for mutual upbuilding.”  Examples of this kind of living are given in Col. 3:12-13, “Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.”


This means living in submission to the Holy Spirit.  “Being filled with the Spirit is the key to a unified body.  Look at the contrast between the works of the flesh and the fruit of the Spirit: ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. … Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live by the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit’ (Gal. 5:22-25).  Here is the true source of unity in the body.” (Blackaby & Blackaby, 2002)



We are to “live in harmony with one another.  Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.   Never be wise in your own sight” (Romans 12:16 ESV).   “When we are walking in fellowship with God, He gives us the ability to walk in fellowship with all of His people.” (Blackaby & Blackaby, 2002)   The result of seeing our unity will be that people are drawn to Christ.  John 17: 21 tells us the desire Jesus had for his followers, “that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me” (ESV).

One of our goals as a group is found in Romans 15:5-6.  “May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Works Cited

Blackaby, H. T., & Blackaby, M. D. (2002). Experiencing God Together. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

Cordeiro, W. (2004). Doing Church as a Team. Ventura: Regal.