authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)
We live in an evil day - but after the fall, what day hasn’t been evil, right? And Scripture tells believers in Jesus that we are daily to don the full armor of God so that we can withstand the schemes of the adversary. Paul writes in Ephesians 6:10-13 (NIV): “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.” Believers are to stand firm in His righteousness through His power – “when” not “if” the day of evil arrives. This calls for a strong resolution from us. If we give ourselves an out, we will take it.
Believers are involved in a continual spiritual warfare against the adversary with Jesus as our Captain. He leads, guides and directs us in the way we should go through His Word and the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit - equipping us for this great task. We battle sin, self and Satan. If Satan can’t keep us from being saved, he will certainly seek to keep us from being used. The adversary delights for us to simply take up God’s space and waste this one life we have been given and are held accountable for, BTW. Jesus didn’t save us to merely entertain ourselves to death. He saved us for purpose in kingdom work. To walk as He walked. To love as He loved. To be His eyes, His hands, His feet, through His power and for His glory. And this is for our very best, BTW. It is taking hold of the life that is truly life – the one we were all destined for.
We are not to be fearful or frozen – we are simply to be vessels going forth in His power for His glory – not leaning on our own understanding (which is really no understanding at all). Proverbs tells us in Proverbs 3:5-8 (NIV): “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.” In doing so, we go forth victoriously - standing firm in His ranks, courageous and bold - making kingdom impact and much of God.
Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. 1 Timothy 1:18-19 (NIV)