July 25: The Crossfire of Original Warfare

Jesus said: 

“If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” (Matthew 19:17)

“You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.” (John 15:14)

“If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)

There are so many who bristle at the word “command.” This is because Satan has succeeded in interfering with the correct perception of God’s character. Instead of the loving Redeemer that He is, whose will it is to lead us out of our lost condition, the adversary likens Him to cruel tyrants that the world has known and/or the fiery, ill-tempered mythical gods who needed constant appeasing. This perception of the Most High is actually very revealing about the character of its propagator who delights in making our Savior appear as an egotistical dictator. By rebelling against His commandments, these are ironically making themselves subject to real tyranny: that of sin and Satan, who wants to keep us enslaved.

Simultaneously, Satan operates on another tack, conveying the idea that Yahweh is a jovial old grandfatherly type who turns a blind eye to sin and doesn’t really mean what He says in the written Word; especially that which He spoke out loud and wrote with His own finger in stone. Those who view Him as the jovial grandfather know that He is love, but their concept of love is not the pure, selfless, transforming love that the Lord wants to lavish upon us. The world too often uses the word “love” in a shallow way, applying it to material things or fun activities.

Because humans are the objects of God’s profoundly inexplicable affection, the adversary wants to separate us from Him; he wants to hurt God by hurting us. We are caught in the crossfire of a war that began in heaven before our world was created (Revelation 12:7-8). This war continues on earth. The war is between Christ and Satan, good and evil. Neutrality is not an option.

Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? Romans 6:16

“If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him. He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father’s who sent Me. John 14:23-24

Many old hymns refer to the Lord’s army, correctly reflecting the reality of the ongoing war between right and wrong. Our Commander in Chief is Jesus. He says, “Follow Me” toward total victory over sin’s tyranny and inevitable death. To know the Commander in Chief is joy! The desire to be in His will is rewarded with guidance and spiritual protection. Our Commander in Chief, through His word, often rebukes us. Correction is a wonderful blessing of the Lord. Through sincere repentance when and where we falter, we are restored to fellowship with Him. Repentance itself is a gift, affectionately referred to as “the gift of tears.” As we grow in faith, we will certainly learn more of our faults and weaknesses, yet our ability to “march forward in procession” is completed in His strength. He is at work within us. GLORY!

Not unto us, O LORD, not unto us, But to Your name give glory, Because of Your mercy, Because of Your truth. Psalm 115:1