We're in a battle

I have spent the last week on campus at Rochester College for Elevate. In one of our evening youth group devotionals, we discussed the fact that we are in a spiritual battle.

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. (Ephesians 6:10-12)

Our battle is real and it is not for the weak-hearted. We cannot win the battle alone, but only when we rely on God, His power, and the strength we can only find in Christian community. Peter also warns us about our enemy when he writes:

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. (1 Peter 5:8-9)

If we are going to stand and stay alert, it requires us to have a firm foundation. Earlier in his letter to the Ephesians, Paul offered the following prayer:

When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:14-21)

Following Jesus is not a spectator sport. It requires our involvement and dedication. It requires us to be empowered by the strength of the Holy Spirit, to allow Christ to make his home in our hearts, and to be rooted in the love of God. It is only when we live in the reality of all three of these that we will be made complete. It is not until we daily devote ourselves to time with God that we can find wholeness as God’s mighty power works within us.

shine!

Jason