brokenredeemed

I’ve been studying the book of John for the last few months, and I’ve been focusing on chapter 17 for a few days. I keep reading it over and over in different translations, and my heart is on fire every time I read it. Jesus desperately prayed for a unified Church. One Church, under One God. One body of believers, sanctified by the word, loved by God and overflowing with that love; ready and willing to take the world by storm. Yet, today I see so much division and complaints about things, that in the long run, won’t matter when souls are what’s truly at stake.

We are fighting a spiritual battle here! Ephesians 6:12-20 tells us,

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. 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. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 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, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.

Put on your armor! Study the Word of God. Allow it to sanctify you…transforming your heart and mind so that we think and act like Christ and are united as One body. As Paul wrote to Timothy, “No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him” (2 Timothy 2:4). Stop worrying about trivial pursuits and keep your eyes on the One who rescued your soul.

A few weeks ago I was reading the Parable of the Sower to my children, from Matthew 13:1-23, and realized that we have a lot of believers right now who’s seed is being choked out by the cares of this world. We are all far too easily distracted and worried about things that we have no control over. I get it! Sometimes I allow the things going on in this world to get me riled up and anxious, but then I have to remind myself that there are some things I can do nothing about but pray. And just like Paul said above to the Church at Ephesus, we’re to pray at all times. I’m often reminded of the opening of the serenity prayer which asks that God grant [us] the serenity to accept the things [we] cannot change; courage to change the things [we] can; and wisdom to know the difference. And how do we know the difference? Through the Word. Through prayer. Through the Holy Spirit, whose role it is to guide us in truth, and declare things to come, among other things (John 16).

No matter what is going on in the world, we know that the Word says that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). I’ve written about this before, how we often think God’s talking about this temporary world we live in, but in reality, He’s speaking about a spiritual kingdom (John 18:36). How do we know this? Because He’s also said that in this world we will have trouble and we will face trials and tribulation (Matthew 24; John 16:33; James 1:2, 12; 1 Peter 4:12-19). We will be persecuted, because just as Jesus says in John 17, we are not of this world! We also know that before Christ’s return, this world will be like the days of Noah, when everyone is doing what’s right in their own eyes (Matthew 24:37). Yet we know that nothing shall separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39)!

My prayer for the Church is that we may be found faithful and obedient at Christ’s return. May our eyes forever be on Him and His kingdom.

“I lift up my eyes to the hills.
From where does my help come? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 121:1-2).