“This life will not be easy, because there is raging around us ‘a continual and irreconcilable war,’ and neutrality is not an option. Life may get harder. Society may get unfriendlier. Faith in Christ may become still more unacceptable and obedience to Christ still more costly. But … Jesus reigns, and Jesus will return. We may not understand every part of the picture …, but stand back and see the broad sweep of it. God has won. God wins. And so we will prevail too, beyond the battle that you and I are a part of and must fight well in.” —Alistair Begg
In what many consider his most treasured epistle in all of the New Testament, the apostle Paul provides an amazing blueprint to the believers in Rome, describing what it means to be a follower of Christ.
In the 12th Chapter, Paul gets to the heart of the matter as it relates to our right-standing with God.
“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God – this is your true and proper worship.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is – his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:1-2
Each day becomes more challenging for believers. And not just here in America, but all over the world. For wherever the world lives, evil and sin surely dwells. At times it may seem as though we’re alone in the battle; that our army has been overrun by the enemy and taken many as prisoners. But God commands us to continue standing our ground, to not give in. Although we are called to take a stand, the battle is ultimately His. Armed with this confidence that God is assuredly for us, let not man chase us away, as Goliath did to Saul’s army in the valley of Elah. Stand strong. Remember what our eternal King did through David with one tiny little stone and a slingshot.
“Don’t forget what God has rescued you from,” Paul is basically saying to us today. “You’re no longer citizens of this corrupt and selfish world. Stop being like them! You are citizens of God’s eternal kingdom. Continue seeking His will for your life daily. Read your Bibles. Encourage your brothers and sisters in Christ so that they too may be encouraged to stand alongside you in this battle. This is what God has called you to do.”
Today’s prayer:
How often I need to remember these things, Lord. Please help me to remember. Each day I read the news and see how bad things are, remind me that it is you I serve and not the world. Each time I’m tempted to compromise or give in, help me to not forget that you’ve called me to a different life. I’m no longer a citizen of this world. You’ve rescued me from it, forever. I am not alone, for you are with me. And there are others, like me, who stand with you. So let me unite with my brothers and sisters and know in complete confidence of how your story ends. Amen.
Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father,
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not,
As Thou hast been Thou forever wilt be.
“GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS” BY THOMAS O. CHISHOLM
Former Blackout Artist 