September 2
Warfare
It is wise for believers to be aware of the ways of the world so that they will not put too much confidence in the integrity of people or systems.
Proverbs 17
23 A wicked man accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the course of justice.
Most of us understand that perverting the course of justice is a sin against mankind. However, few of realize that the giving of receiving of bribes is a sin against God. When we manipulate, obfuscate, bribe, or otherwise mindfully or prayerlessly interfere to divert the course of justice we may be interfering with the providential hand of God. Believers know they are not just to do something just because they feel “the heat.”! They are to humbly act according to the commands of God. They trust and if they do not get the end they desire they do not give up when they believe justice is on their side.
Warfare
It is wise for believers to be aware of the ways of the world so that they will not put too much confidence in the integrity of people or systems.
Proverbs 17
23 A wicked man accepts a bribe in secret to pervert the course of justice.
Most of us understand that perverting the course of justice is a sin against mankind. However, few of realize that the giving of receiving of bribes is a sin against God. When we manipulate, obfuscate, bribe, or otherwise mindfully or prayerlessly interfere to divert the course of justice we may be interfering with the providential hand of God. Believers know they are not just to do something just because they feel “the heat.”! They are to humbly act according to the commands of God. They trust and if they do not get the end they desire they do not give up when they believe justice is on their side.
It is wise for believers to be aware of the ways of the world so that they will not put too much confidence in the integrity of people or systems. I once had a former judge tell me in a candid moment that there is no such thing as justice. “Justice”, he said, is not determined by truth but by who has the most money to fight.” Now- what does that mean?
The honest person should have no illusions about the outcome of events in the social order. Our confidence should never slack in prayer. It is our only defense and is does not always mean we will get instant answers. It is clear that much prayer for social change is a form of “spiritual warfare.” People are sinners and will be until their hearts are changed and they gain spiritual enlightenment. The believer will find resistance to truth, disappointment, the temptation to disillusionment and discern painful and disturbing things until Christ comes again. In the meantime we do battle by faith that moves the heavens and brings shakings on the earth. This is our purpose when we believe in Christ, to hold the darkness at bay and to be a light to those victimized by the wickedness of the human heart. In this we share the good work of the angels.
Ephesians 6
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 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. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord's people.
No comments:
Post a Comment