“There is a war being waged over you because you are God’s precious child.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – March 14, 2023
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. Ephesians 6:12
Please don’t ask me about war history. I hate to admit it, but I practically slept through my high school and college history courses. Dates and names bounced off my brain like a rubber ball. There has been one war, however, that I have become more knowledgeable of over time during my 30 years of walking with Jesus—and that’s the battle mentioned in John 10:10.
This well-known scripture says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.”
Years ago, while reading Waking the Dead by John Eldredge, I became aware that John 10:10 is spoken as two related statements. In fact, some Bible translations separate both statements with a semi colon. “The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.”
Eldredge writes:
Have you ever wondered why Jesus married those two statements? Did you even know that he spoke them at the same time? I mean, he says them in one breath. And he has his reasons. By all means, God intends life for you, but right now that life is opposed. It doesn’t just roll in on a tray. There is a thief. He comes to steal, kill and destroy. In other words, yes, the offer is life, but you’re going to have to fight for it because there is an Enemy in your life with a different agenda.
When I read this scripture and Eldredge’s words, it hit me, I am the prize! I am the one all the fighting is about!
You are the one all the fighting is about.
Because you are precious to God, you are the object of battle. And, because you are the object of battle, you don’t have the privilege of standing on neutral ground. You must choose sides, not only when you come to the altar to commit your life to Christ, but in 1,000 different ways on 1,000 different days over a lifetime.
We choose which side of the battle line we stand on by who we serve each day, by who we obey, and with whom we agree. Do we obey—or disobey—Christ? Do we not only say that Jesus is Lord but act like it too? (I’m asking myself these tough questions too! Lord, help me obey!)
No doubt, God loves you and me no matter how we behave. His love for us is never diminished by our actions. However, we can suffer when we align with the Enemy of our souls.
There is a war being waged over you because you are God’s precious child. God’s desire is that he be glorified and bring all people to himself, and he wants to use you to do that. He also wants you to find joy in him and use you for his purposes. But if the Enemy seduces you—and uses his tactics to steal, kill, and destroy—he can make you ineffective in your faith, and he can rob the abundance, joy and blessings that Jesus is holding out to you every day.
Until we believe there is a very real battle being waged over us, we will be rendered defenseless. If we don’t believe John 10:10, we will not use the weapons of faith God has given us to fight.
Are you fully convinced that John 10:10 is true? If so, how will this affect how you live?
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power” (Ephesians 6:10).
Prayer
Lord, I want to obey you so that I am kept safe and so that others can see you in me. I love you, Jesus. Thank you for loving me so much that you died on the cross for my sins. Amen.
Application
Ask the Lord how He wants you to respond to today’s message.
Related Reading
2 Timothy 3:16; Ephesians 6:17; 2 Corinthians 10:4
Worship Resource
Bria Jean: Teach Me to Obey
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