"For we do not wrestle against (literally) blood and flesh, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places." (Ephesians 6:12, NKJV, my "default" version)
"For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places." (NLT)
"....against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness...." (NASB)
"....our fight is...against organizations and powers that are spiritual. We are up against the unseen power that controls this dark world, and spiritual agents from the very headquarters of evil." (Phillips)
"....against the cosmic powers over this present darkness...." (ESV)
As I was praying for the current battle in the American Government this morning, Jesus spoke our text to my heart. The Church of Jesus is not in a fight with people, no matter the nation, the religion, the ethnicity, the "political persuasion." Our text tells us of the fight in which you and I are engaged.
Try to remember that the next time the Enemy gets you to be all combative with that family member, that fellow worker, neighbor, etc., who ridicules your faith in Jesus, your life style, or who just seems to be your nemesis in life. They are not. "We wrestle against...the world forces of this darkness," or, "spiritual agents from the very headquarters of evil."
Our Lord Jesus also reminded me today of the "Work" in His Cross, "And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together in Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the certificate of debt with its requirements that was against us....And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. HAVING DISARMED PRINCIPALITIES AND POWERS, HE MADE A PUBLIC SPECTACLE OF THEM, TRIUMPHING OVER THEM IN IT." (Colossians 2:13-14) The old song says, "In the Cross of Christ I glory, Towering or'e the wrecks of time. All the light of sacred glory, gathers round Its Head sublime." I would add, "All the light of" history and eternity, "gathers around" His "Head sublime."
I have been praying for many years that we get a clear 5 to 4 majority on the US Supreme Court who are committed to Jesus Christ, His Kingdom, His Church, Biblical Principles, and the US Constitution. Whether that happens or not, I identify with the three Hebrews before a pagan King, "But if not, let it be known to you...that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up."
I want to live this life with the attitude of the triumphal epitaph of one of my forebearers who passed from this life in 1697. "Here lies William Sherwood, a great sinner awaiting for a joyful resurrection." Let, "the world forces of this darkness," live with that.
Father, in Jesus' Name, I do so want to have William Sherwood's attitude. Amen.
When Peter, an 18 year old Norwegian, "heard the call to evangelize China, on that day he not only emptied his wallet into the collection plate, but included a small note with the words, 'and my life.'"
Hebrews 12:2
Hebrews 12:2
