Only Through Christ
'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. '
Ephesians 6:12-13
'that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. '
Ephesians 1:20-21
It is only Through Christ that we have the victory.
Having grown up through the Cold War, I have come to expect proxy wars. In the Cold War, the Soviets and the United States were always in an active war somewhere on earth, just hidden behind another country or group. For instance, the Afghanistan wars of the 1980's starting with the Soviet invasion and continuing after their retreat through various civil wars. The combatants were always supported by either the Soviets or the United States. Neither the United States nor the Soviet Union wanted to face each other in conflict.
We are in active war today. The enemy of our souls, the Church, and the Kingdom of Heaven attack us often through other people. This proxy war that the enemy fights can easily create confusion on our part. We forget who we are fighting. We do not fight flesh and blood. We oppose "against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." Other humans are not our enemy no matter their creed, sexuality, or political party. If we were fighting people, we could fight the battle in our own power, but we are not fighting people. We are fighting a spiritual fight.
Our Lord, Jesus the Christ, is seated at the right hand of the Father. To be at the right side of authority is to have the highest rank with extraordinary honor and power equal to himself. This is what the Apostle Paul says of Jesus in his letter to the church in Ephesus. Paul writes that Jesus is not only at the right hand of the Father but is seated at His right hand. Jesus being seated means that the work is done. The victory is ours to stand in. We don’t fight for success, but we fight from a place of victory.
The battles we fight are not only not against the flesh we face but are already won! Our responsibility in fighting the campaigns is to stand in the victory that has already been won, secure, and in the armor, God provides for protection. Ephesians 6:12 tells us "having done all, to stand firm."
Ephesians 6:12-13
'that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. '
Ephesians 1:20-21
It is only Through Christ that we have the victory.
Having grown up through the Cold War, I have come to expect proxy wars. In the Cold War, the Soviets and the United States were always in an active war somewhere on earth, just hidden behind another country or group. For instance, the Afghanistan wars of the 1980's starting with the Soviet invasion and continuing after their retreat through various civil wars. The combatants were always supported by either the Soviets or the United States. Neither the United States nor the Soviet Union wanted to face each other in conflict.
We are in active war today. The enemy of our souls, the Church, and the Kingdom of Heaven attack us often through other people. This proxy war that the enemy fights can easily create confusion on our part. We forget who we are fighting. We do not fight flesh and blood. We oppose "against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places." Other humans are not our enemy no matter their creed, sexuality, or political party. If we were fighting people, we could fight the battle in our own power, but we are not fighting people. We are fighting a spiritual fight.
Our Lord, Jesus the Christ, is seated at the right hand of the Father. To be at the right side of authority is to have the highest rank with extraordinary honor and power equal to himself. This is what the Apostle Paul says of Jesus in his letter to the church in Ephesus. Paul writes that Jesus is not only at the right hand of the Father but is seated at His right hand. Jesus being seated means that the work is done. The victory is ours to stand in. We don’t fight for success, but we fight from a place of victory.
The battles we fight are not only not against the flesh we face but are already won! Our responsibility in fighting the campaigns is to stand in the victory that has already been won, secure, and in the armor, God provides for protection. Ephesians 6:12 tells us "having done all, to stand firm."
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