The Timelessness Challenge of Standing for God

It may be a new millennium but the age-old struggle between good and evil continues.  In fact, there is an abundance of evidence that the pace of that struggle is intensifying.  Whether it's the increased persecution of Christian believers; doctors unconscionably ignoring the clear medical facts in their demands for more abortifacient drugs; the promotion of promiscuous, adultery-intensive entertainment; the leftward lurching of the press; or any one of a number of other stories of a world gone crazy, there's no denying the brutal reality of spiritual warfare.  However, there's also no denying the responsibility of the Christian despite whatever is thrown his way.

  "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.    Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 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. Wherefore, take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand, therefore, having your loins girded about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness, And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, with which ye shall be able to quench the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."   (Ephesians 6:10-17)

And, make no mistake, standing firm in the power of the Spirit results in the same life-changing, devil-defeating victories right here in the twenty-first century as it did in the life of the apostle Paul in the first.

But as former Beatle Ringo Starr once sang, "You know it don't come easy!"

For example, even a quick look at Paul's ministry reveals that trials and troubles were almost constant companions to him yet he had a "heavenly-perspective" on life – a view that saw a long way back into his unworthiness and a long way forward towards the incomparable rewards of heaven that were awaiting him.  Thus equipped with the armor of God and that "heavenly-perspective", Paul gloried in the honor of serving the eternal King of Glory in whatever task he was given.  The following passage shows just one example of his confidence.

"For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal."  (2 Corinthians 4:17-18)

So let’s have no whining or escapism in this new millennium, okay?  Let's simply outfit ourselves properly, concentrate on that "heavenly-perspective" that Paul developed and get into the great adventure!