“Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath,
I have started this weeks post multiple times; with no success. In light of this weeks tragic events, I felt the need to wait. You see, I’m angry. The very last thing I wanted was to respond in my flesh and give you the word of “Larry.” My words are not what will heal this world, my words don’t solve problems, and my words do not save souls. Only word of God to repentance and salvation by the blood of Jesus Christ can do that. Yet, even though i know that, I am angry and that is okay.
The hardest thing to do as Christians, I think, is to live in this world and not be of it. When tragedies like Sandy Hook, Columbine, Aurora, and Charleston strike, it is hard not to react in our flesh. I am not ashamed to admit that this week I have struggled in my flesh. As this latest tragedy unfolded, and details came to light, I got angrier and angrier and lost focus. That, friends, is exactly what the devil wants. He wants us to give in to our fleshly desires and take our eyes off of Jesus. Then, through compromise, he can rip us off. for those who have been saved, salvation is no longer an issue; living life in this world separate from the purpose the Lord has for each of us is.
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
The devil is very real. It is at times like this, when tragedy strikes that he is on the march. He looks for compromise and we must not give in. I have heard from many of you this week and the overwhelming sentiment is that you are tired. You are tired of candlelight vigils, prayer services for the families of the lost, tired of tears and tired of pain. For what it is worth, I am with you. I too am tired.
The good news is, we know the answer to the overarching question that comes up every time something of this scope occurs; we know why. It isn’t because of lax gun laws or something as simple and petty as racial hatred. Let me add, it also is not simply because the shooter was not in his right mind although I will agree with that. The reason this happened is because the devil is real and true, dark, unexplainable evil exists in this broken sinful world.
When we view the world as it is, broken and separated from God, the world of Jesus encourage our hearts.
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”
In Christ there is the ultimate victory of sin and the devil. When we view the word as Jesus did, we can pray for our enemies and love them.
Matthew 5:43-48[ Love Your Enemies ] “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven;
So as our flesh cries for justice, remember what Jesus taught us. Love our enemies and bless those who curse you. for our battle is not with one another but with principalities and powers.
Ephesians 6:12For 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.
So, as we fight this spiritual battle, I pray that we would remain steadfast. This is not a battle we can win in our own strength. It is, in fact a battle that has already been fought and won; one time for all time. Be angry but do not stray from the truth that Jesus is with you and has overcome the world and all the evil it represents.
My prayers go out to the people of Charleston. We are with you. May the abounding love of Jesus chase away the darkness and bring you peace.
Grace & Peace,
LD
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