Skip to main content

Our Struggle

 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. (Ephesians 6:12)

          With all that is going on, today’s passage is a basic to which we need to return. For the past four years, we’ve been told that Mr. Trump was the problem, along with anyone who disagrees. Now those who didn’t think Mr. Trump was the problem are proclaiming that Mr. Biden is the problem, along with anyone who disagrees. The reality is that Mr. Trump and Mr. Biden, and even those who disagree are not the problems. The problem is the rulers, the authorities, the powers of this dark world, and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.

          Reading that, it’s easy to say, “Yeah, the rulers, like Mr. Trump/Biden.” But the president doesn’t rule. He is ruled by those who bankrolled him, putting him in office. He is also ruled by the philosophy or culture that he believes or accepts. If Mr. Biden were to experience his own “Damascus Road” conversion and suddenly start enacting Conservative policies, I’ve little doubt that he would be removed from office as incompetent or assassinated. Another person taking his place would either represent the ideals of the Liberals or the ideals of the Conservatives. The point is that the rulers, etc. would not be that person, either. The ideals are the enemy. The things that take us away from God are the enemies.

          This is again why we need to stick to the basics, including love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23.) This  is why we must not play by the rules set by the world. We are not to hate the people who oppose us. We are not to find joy in their suffering. We are not to all them names unless they have applied those names to themselves.

          We need, desperately, to learn to communicate better, to tell our stories, and to argue effectively. But we need even more for our behavior to be above reproach.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Right Road

          Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. (Psalm 139:7-12)                  For years before GPSes existed, I told people I wanted something in my car that would tell me, “Turn left in half a mile…turn left in a quarter mile…turn left in 500 feet… turn left in 100 feet…turn left now …You missed the turn, Dummy!” The problem isn’t necessarily that I get lost so much as I’m afraid I’ll get lost. I don’t want to have to spend my whole trip stressing over the next turn. I have the same problem with my spiritual journey.   
Post a Comment
Read more

Died as a Ransom

                 For this reason Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance—now that he has died as a ransom to set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant. (Hebrews 9:15)                  This is something I’d really rather not think about but here it is and it’s important. I was reading in Bold Love about seeking revenge.  The author wrote of seeking justice when a supposed Christian does something sinful, harmful, and/or horrific, like sexually abusing a daughter.  And the thought that came to mind was of God asking if Jesus’ death was sufficient payment to me for the sin committed against me.                I have no specific longing for revenge, vengeance, or justice. I’m sure there are some lurking somewhere in my heart, but this wasn’t a response to one. It was more a question of principle. Jesus’ death was sufficient payment for to God for our sins.  That’s the standard Sunday Schoo
1 comment
Read more

Out of the Depths

  Out of the depths I have cried to You, Lord. Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive to the sound of my pleadings.   If You, Lord, were to keep account of guilty deeds, Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness with You, so that You may be revered. I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and I wait for His word. My soul waits in hope for the Lord more than the watchmen for the morning; Yes, more than the watchmen for the morning. Israel, wait for the Lord; for with the Lord there is mercy, and with Him is abundant redemption. And He will redeem Israel from all his guilty deeds . (Psalm 130)             I like Mr. Peterson’s interpretation of the first line. “The bottom has fallen out of my life!” Of course, the problem for some of us is the fact that we’re drama queens, and/or we’re weak. Any time anything happens that disturbs our sense of mastery and control, the bottom has fallen out of our lives. If the past couple of days have taught me anything, they’ve t
1 comment
Read more