Bible Ballistics: No Change—Yesterday, Today or Tomorrow Vol. 6#07
As the world spins around us, and lately it has really been spinning, we must choose how we will respond, react and live in light of all that is going on around us. There have been lots of folks weighing in on the recent ruling from the Supreme Court Of The United States regarding marriage. We who belong to Jesus must know whom we stand in and what we are to stand for. Paul tells us in the letter to the Ephesian Church, that we must be prepared for the “evil day”, and friends we are living in the “evil day”! So what are we to do? We must stand for Jesus, knowing the truth and being HIS light, to shine in the darkness.
“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;” Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally is a term of conclusion, and Paul is calling these believers in Jesus to take a certain action. He has covered doctrines of who Jesus is, was and always will be; who we are IN Him, and what our behavior should look like before our God and the world—those who are watching us (And believe me, we don’t always know who is watching us). As Paul is closing his message to the Ephesians and he calls them with the term “finally my brethren” as he goes on to give them important instructions to live victorious lives during the “evil day”. Paul clearly understood that ‘evil days’ would come upon believers, and they have throughout the history of the Church of Jesus Christ since His ascension. We who are following Him today are no exception, and we who believe in the biblically prophesied return of Jesus, know that ‘evil days’ will accompany the time of His return.
But what does that mean for you and me? Well, it doesn’t mean that we are to:
Panic
Respond with alarm when the ‘world’ behaves ‘worldly’
Be ignorant of the schemes of the enemy
Behave unkindly in response to the enemy’s attacks.
Paul gives us wise and timely advice. We are to:
Be strong in the Lord—
In HIS power and might (inherent power).
Put on the armor of God—the defenses God provides.
Stand against the schemes/wiles of the devil—
The roaring lion (1 Peter 5:8)
The accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10)
The deceiver of the world (Rev. 12:9)
The enemy (Matt.13:39)
The liar (John 8:44)
The thief (John 10:10)
Recognize that other ‘people’ are not our enemy–
But Satan and his minions are!
And we can stand against his onslaught!!!
PUT ON THE WHOLE ARMOR—of GOD!!!
God’s armor—the provision of our KING–
So we can withstand IN THE EVIL DAY—
So we can stand—
Stand therefore–
In Truth—John 14:6=Jesus
In Righteousness—2 Cor. 5:21=Jesus
In the Peace of the Gospel—Ro. 5:1=Jesus
With the shield of faith—Jn. 11:25-26=Jesus
In His salvation—Phil 2:5=Jesus
With the Word of God—Jn. 1:1-13=Jesus
(Both the person and the scripture)
Praying Always—Heb. 4:14-16=Jesus
Changeless—Jesus is the Answer, regardless of the question! But we must know him in salvation, and then feast on His Word continually to be equipped for the onslaught of the enemy!!! And we can do that only in, through and with the power of His Spirit within us. We must realize that evil days are upon us and prepare—it’s way past time! Jesus hasn’t changed! The Word of God hasn’t changed!! And we must not change with the winds of the world:
“That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:” Ephesians 4:14-15
We will be compelled to make a decision about what we believe. We are already seeing lines drawn over those who approve of the perspective of the world in contrast to those who hold to the perspective of God and His Word. All will choose—and even those who refuse to choose, have chosen!
We must stand on the immutability of God—a big word that simply means the unchangeableness of GOD!!!
“Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. 9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace……” Hebrews 13:8-9a
And because Jesus never changes we shouldn’t change His Word to fit in!! Our message is one that is eternal, immutable and certain! We must stand with Jesus!!!
“But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.” 1 Corinthians 1:23-24
Jesus is our absolute certain strength in which we must stand in this ‘evil day’. We must know the Word of God and stand in its truth! And Paul declares that there is a difference between those who believe and those who don’t, and behavior is often the thermostat that reveals the true nature of the individual. You can’t stand against God and for Him at the same time!
“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, 10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” I Corinthians 6:9-11 (all sin is sin, and this is referring to continual activity)
And remember that the righteous is only ‘righteous’ through Jesus:
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21
And when we back up in this chapter a bit we find that the one who has been ‘born again’ is ‘in Christ’ and is a ‘new creature’!!
“Therefore
if any man be in Christ,
he is a new creature:
old things are passed away;
behold, all things are become new.
18 And all things are of God,
who hath reconciled us
to himself by Jesus Christ,
and hath given to us
the ministry of reconciliation;
19 To wit, that God was in Christ,
reconciling the world unto himself,
not imputing their trespasses unto them;
and hath committed unto us
the word of reconciliation.
20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ,
as though God did beseech you by us:
we pray you in Christ’s stead,
be ye reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-18
So will you change, conform, fit in, go with the flow??? Or stand fast??? It’s your call, but there is an account to give!!!
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1-2