At some point we all wonder
Why are Things this Way?
To have a clear idea of the reality we live in,
You need to know the reason we have a Problem =
That there is a spiritual battle in progress.
You need to know what Provisions are available to you =
God's power being the source of strength we are to be relying upon.
You need to know the Promises of what to expect =
God's glorious plans for the future of His chosen.
Let's take a close look at a couple of passages of scripture
that touch on each of these 3 aspects of these spiritual realities.
First the problem:
Ephesians 2:2
tells us
in which you once walked
according to the course of this world,
according to
the prince of the power of the air,
the spirit who now works
in the sons of disobedience,
And in Ephesians 6:11-12
Paul tells us there is a spiritual battle going.
We read,
Put on the whole armor of God,
that you may be able to stand
against the wiles of the devil.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood,
but against principalities,
against powers,
against the rulers of the darkness of this age,
against spiritual hosts of wickedness
in the heavenly places.
That's a big problem.
Fortunately there are hundreds of verses
about the Provisions God provides.
Here are just two examples
Continuing with Paul's words to the Ephesians,
Chapter 6:14-18
we read
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.
Stand therefore,
having girded your waist with truth,
having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
and having shod your feet
with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
above all, taking the shield of faith
with which you will be able to quench
all the fiery darts of the wicked one.
And take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God;
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,
being watchful to this end
with all perseverance and supplication
for all the saints—
We also have Jesus' assurance
that God is looking out for us,
and are told to have no fear
because of His loving concern for us.
in Matthew 10:29-31
He said
Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin?
And not one of them falls to the ground
apart from your Father's will.
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Do not fear therefore;
you are of more value
than many sparrows.
The promises of what the future holds for believers
is something to get excited about.
Here are somethings to expect upon
and after the return of Jesus Christ,
In Philipians 3:20-21
we read,
For our citizenship is in heaven,
from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior,
the Lord Jesus Christ,
who will transform our lowly body
that it may be conformed to His glorious body,
according to the working
by which He is able even to subdue
all things to Himself.
There are many things to be looking forward to in our future.
In Hebrews 13:14
we learn,
For here we have no lasting city,
but we seek the city to come.
Revelation chapter 21 has more details about
this city, New Jerusalem,
that is a part of a new heavens and a new Earth.
The point I want you to understand is that
your life is more than what you see right now.
Which is pretty MESSED UP.
I want you to know
that the power to succeed in life
is available to you as a child of God.
I would encourage you to study and memorize these truths.
Striving to follow what Paul advised
in Romans 12:12
rejoicing in hope,
patient in tribulation,
continuing steadfastly in prayer;
More Biblical teaching can be found on this channel.
Check it out. Until next time, Maranatha.
Saved by Grace,
Andrew Cross
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some,
but exhorting one another,
and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:23-25