The battle lines have been drawn. War is at our front door. One of the biggest issues for the church today is we don’t recognize it.
The disciples once lived a way familiar to them until they met Jesus. Around three years earlier from this point they turned away from all and followed Him. Now Jesus speaks to them, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20
Years earlier, (several thousand actually), similar to Jesus Moses is commanded to speak to the Israelites. It had been just over a year since Israel was freed from being in slavery to Egypt by God. Israel is now being prepared for battle. The Lord tells Moses, “from twenty years old and above—all who are able to go to war in Israel. You and Aaron shall number them by their armies.” Numbers 1:3
What Moses and Jesus were doing is similar to each other. They were getting people ready for battle. The battle for Israel was physical; the battle for the church is spiritual… but the battle is ongoing. Today the battle of the kingdom of heaven is fought by extending grace and mercy to the unlovable; and to love and sacrifice to the selfish. We were all once unlovable and selfish (and sometimes still are) but are now called and commanded to extend the love of the Lord to others like He has extended to us. Our battles aren’t physical but are spiritual. And they are battles we must fight. Do you know you are in the battle? Are you fighting with love, grace, mercy, and sacrifice?
“For 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.” Ephesians 6:12
- To Know Jesus. To Live on Mission.