Strong in the Lord

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 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 6:10-12)

I used to believe that all my struggles were against people and things that I could see. I would trust my eyes. Today, over five years after having a life-changing revelation of Christ as love, I know better.

The truth is now plain for me to see: Darkness and evil lurk in the hearts of people everywhere. Everywhere means even in the hearts of people you love dearly - your family, children, and best friends.

This darkness - the dark world - is real, and it is powerful, as Paul noted in his letter to the Ephesians.

The source of the darkness is found in the heavenly realms. We cannot see this darkness with our natural eyes. It has to be discerned through the eyes of our hearts. The Spirit has eyes to see this darkness. The Lord has overpowered and conquered it through the Cross.

The key issue for us is whether we are strong enough in the Lord. If we are, we can have His victory over darkness, and His Spiritual fruit. It is ours if we see ourselves in Christ and see ourselves seated with Him in the heavenlies. It is ours if Christ is preeminent in our hearts.

Darkness has no place in the kingdom of God. Beyond the Cross, there is only Love, Light and Life.

It is no surprise that praying for the darkness to be removed from our hearts is part of the Lord's prayer. Jesus was explicit in telling us how to pray:

"And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen]."
(Matthew 6:13)

Deliver us from evil.

Four words, but oh so important. We pray that we are delivered from evil. We pray that the Lord, through the Cross, purifies our hearts so that His light - His never-failing love - can shine through us. Satan is no match for the Lord's never-failing love. The Lord's love conquered darkness.

Christine and I have been experiencing some intense spiritual battles recently. We have seen the forces of darkness that Paul described in Ephesians 6:10-12. We have also seen how being strong in the Lord is critical to the battle against evil. Darkness will make you question the Lord and His word. Unbelief and disbelief will creep into your mind and wreak havoc with your love walk. Satan will try to convince you that the Lord is not Truth. Don't listen to his nonsense. He is pathetic. Anybody devoid of the Lord's love, as Satan is, is nothing. Nothing! (1 Corinthians 13).

Here's an eternal truth: You cannot walk in love unless you have complete faith and trust in the Lord - unless you are strong in the Lord.

It is no surprise that Paul's discussion about the spiritual forces of darkness follow his discussion of walking in love.

"Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love."
(Ephesians 5:1-2)

Walking in love requires being strong in the Lord. This is not optional! Being strong in the Lord is an absolute necessity to our love walk.

Walking in love requires great faith and complete trust in the Lord. We know this is true. For it is written:

"The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love."
(Galatians 5:6)

The only thing that counts is faith, in the Lord, expressing itself through love. THE ONLY THING!!! That is true Christianity in a nutshell.

May you be strong in the Lord and may you always express your great faith in the Lord through love.

Agape,

Steve