(2
Corinthians 10:3) For though we walk in
the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
(2
Corinthians 10:4) (For the weapons of
our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of
strong holds;)
(2
Corinthians 10:5) Casting down
imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge
of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;
Imagine
that it is the early 1940’s, in the midst of WWII. Hitler, who is the leader of
the Nazi’s has assembled an army and declared war. His sole goal is to terminate anyone who he
views to be imperfect. He is not only
invading countries, cities, towns, and homes to capture, imprison and
eventually kill Jewish people who he views are a lower grade of humanity, but
also the disabled and anyone who tries to get in his way. These people have not done anything wrong but
are innocent.
Now imagine that
you are home during the midst of all of this, hearing of this monstrous
onslaught of people, unable to do anything to help. But, there are selfless men and women who
gave of themselves to combat against the Nazi army. Who eventually, through
many long years of battle, came out victoriously through the defeat of the Nazi
army. They fought so that we could have
freedom and joy, and live as we know it.
Today is the day where we remember those brave men and women who
sacrificed their time, families and some of them even their life. It is hard to
say what life could have been like, possibly living under dictatorship rather
than living in a democracy, who knows?
Moreover, even
today that same spirit that Hitler had exists in the world, the same spirit
that wants to imprison and destroy the innocent. That spirit is Satan. Likewise Satan and his army are just as
relentless. He will do ANYTHING
in his power to ensnare us into sin. He will tempt us, lie to us, and deceive
us. His methods are sneaky, waiting for
a moment when our guard is down, when we get distracted by the things of
life. Whether it be work or school, when
we lose our focus on the Lord. That is
when he will begin to lie and deceive us.
Similar to with Eve
he will whisper in our ear “Hath God said?” making us question our faith and
what God has said. Then he continues by lying to us saying “Surely you will not
die.” He begins to create a confusion in
us, making us ask ourselves did God really say I couldn’t do that. We begin to
rationalize the situation, and if we are not careful we, like eve, may give into
the sweet temptation of the “forbidden fruit”.
(1
Peter 5:8) Be sober, be vigilant;
because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking
whom he may devour:
He wants to devour
our souls, he doesn’t care about us, all he cares about is that we become
disobedient like he is, so that we may, some day be like him and cast out of
the presence of God for eternity. He wants us to spend eternity in hell with
him.
We must realize
that there is an ongoing battle for our soul.
(Ephesians 6:12) For we
wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against
powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual
wickedness in high places.
We are
not like those brave men and women who fought on battle fields, with physical
weapons, and physical death. No, we are
soldiers of Christ battling against principalities, against powers, against the
rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. In other words we are fighting a spiritual
battle, against Satan and his army.
Likewise to the soldiers who came
out victoriously through the defeat of Hitler, we to can walk in victory over
the defeat of the enemy. After all
people,
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the
flesh:
(For the weapons of our warfare are
not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)
In
Ephesians 6 it goes on to say:
Ephesians 6:13-18
(13) Wherefore take unto you the
whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and
having done all, to stand.
(14) Stand therefore, having your
loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
(15) And your feet shod with the preparation of
the gospel of peace;
(16) Above all, taking the shield
of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the
wicked.
(17) And take the helmet of
salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Today
I am thankful for the soldiers who served and died for our country. Who fought
for our freedom, that today we have the liberty to live in a democracy and not
under a dictatorship. But today, what I am most thankful for is for a God who
gave of Himself.
Jesus died so
that we can walk in liberty, peace, power, self-control and love. I am thankful
for a God who looked into the future and saw me as a sinner. Who knew that I
would hurt Him, disobey Him, and not always trust in Him. But He loved me enough to die for me, and for
you so that we could have hope, Jesus died that we may live.
Isaiah 53:5-12
(5)
But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our
iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we
are healed.
(6)
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own
way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
(7)
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he
is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is
dumb, so he openeth not his mouth.
(8)
He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his
generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the
transgression of my people was he stricken.
(9)
And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death;
because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.
(10)
Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when
thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall
prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.
(11)
He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his
knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their
iniquities.
(12)
Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall
divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto
death: and he was numbered with the transgressors; and he bare the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.
In other words, almighty God came to earth, wrapped himself in
flesh, walked the earth for 33 years doing do harm or wrong. Yet He, the
innocent was imprisoned. He would not defend Himself, but was brutally beaten
for us, had a crown of thorns put upon his head and was eventually crucified
for us. He who knew no sin became sin for us that we may live.
He endured much pain in His death for you and I, to take a breath
He had to pull His body up while His hands and feet were nailed to the cross.
He was spit on and ridiculed. Jesus went through all of this for YOU. He didn’t have to but He
sacrificed Himself so that we could have freedom and hope. Jesus said”
(John 10:10) : I am come that they might
have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
So finally, today as we remember our veterans and the sacrifice
they have made for you and I let us not forget the king of kings, lord of
lords, the most high God, our redeemer; Jesus, and the sacrifice that He made
for us.
