Hope Alliance Bethlehem

In our world, we often talk about demons as a way of expressing bad stuff in our personal history. However, the Bible shows us that demons are real spirit beings who oppose the kingdom of God at every turn. So, we have to know their methods, how they attack us and how we should respond.

Peter tells us that the devil is roaming like a roaring lion looking for people to devour. His charge to us is to be alert to the devil and to resist the devil. Be alert to his reality, his nature and his schemes. And resist him through your dynamic connection to Jesus.

What does the Bible mean when it suggests that we are in a battle against the world? It isn't people, nations, or governments. Rather, it is the systems and structures that are in opposition to the kingdom of God. This battle is real and for us to engage effectively in it we need to be have a right definition and a correct posture. In the same way, we need to know where we've been affected and how to reclaim that ground.

Our flesh is the rebellious part of us that is still seeking to control and rule our own life. And our battle against it is spiritual warfare. Rather than always being reactionary to sin in our life, a victorious posture seeks to confront temptation, confess sin and choose forgiveness.

Every follower of Jesus has a remarkable standing "in Christ." We are forgiven - no sin or penalty held against us. We are free - no longer bound by sin and the devil. We have the fullness of Christ - empowered for the advance of God's kingdom. Through faith, we embrace this victorious standing in the midst of spiritual warfare.

Spiritual warfare is real. Satan and his demons, what Scripture calls "the world" and our flesh comprise the kingdom in conflict with the victorious kingdom of God where Jesus rules. We are called to be keenly aware of this battle and ready to stand with Jesus.

When Paul tells the Romans to greet each other with a holy kiss, his mind is immediately stirred back to Judas' betrayal of Jesus with a kiss. And so he launches into a short plea to beware those who would lead the church astray. Paul reminds us that we will know them by their message, motivations and methods.

As Paul concludes his letter to the Romans, he demonstrates three distinct qualities of mission - boldness, boasting and big dreams. Paul models a boldness to keep the gospel the center, a right boasting in Jesus and a big dream to go to Spain. Each of us are called to be on mission with God - with boldness, boasting (in Christ) and big dreams for the kingdom.

How should a follower of Jesus handle those "grey areas"? Paul spends a good bit of time pleading for acceptance of one another - different viewpoints and all! Weak and strong, both laying it down for the sake of the forward move of the kingdom of God. This is a natural outcome of a genuine love for each other and a prioritizing of the mission of God.

Sometimes it is so easy to get consumed with life and walk around aimlessly. Paul's urge to us is to wake up! We were meant to live for so much more. And as we understand the world around us, his central call is for us to take up our standing in Jesus.