V-MAIL TO THE FRONTLINE

PART 2

DESIGNED FOR OFFENSE

The saints of God were never created for just defense. A sports team can never win unless they learn the balance of guarding and scoring – and that is accomplished with the development of an organized offense. We have the shield of faith to defend but we also have the sword of His Word to attack. Mathew chapter 11 verse 12 say’s, “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence and the violent take it by force.” Jesus was saying that God’s kingdom takes courage, unwavering faith, determination and endurance because of the growing opposition to the kingdom message and those who preach it. John’s ministry had ushered in the kingdom of heaven and it was crucially important to set the record straight about what the saints should expect. Jesus was very serious about spiritual warfare in Mathew chapter ten and was tired of beating around the bush trying to explain the world’s reaction. In verses 34 through 39, we find him saying some disturbing things about our relationships and our dreams of a “happy” ministry lifestyle.

“Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household. He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that takes not his cross, and follows after me, is not worthy of me. He that finds his life shall lose it: and he that loses his life for my sake shall find it.” Jesus is not trying to be ugly or scare anyone. He is not trying to make terrorist out of ordinary people or be cruel for the purpose of stirring up evil. He is trying to be blunt and go where the rubber meets the road and plead with the saints about a “life or death” reality. He is trying to reveal the truth and power of God’s word and the dramatic impact IT WILL HAVE on everyone – even the family unit. The life lived in Christ will always provoke a reaction from everyone good or bad. It can cause hatred, anger and division because the cross is an offense to the carnal mind and enmity to the flesh and is in direct opposition to the devil’s lies and plans. Jesus was not going to paint pretty pictures of sunsets or tell stories about how everyone would embrace us and rejoice with our message because he knew this would rarely be the case. He knew his disciples would experience the same treatment as he had and how the gospel would be an irritation to everyone who is not a devoted follower of Christ. He knew the spirits would clash and how the kingdom of light would be an “in your face insult” that could stir the religious into being a fierce enemy. Yes God’s convicting “two edged” truth carries freedom along with resistance. Those who love this life more than Jesus cannot call Him their Lord. It is dangerous when Christians try to hold God’s hand while holding the world with the other hand. It is called “lukewarm” or “middle of the road” and no matter how you dress it up or paint it, there is no compromise and no special deals. And when the world loves us – something’s terribly wrong. We have so many justifications to stay in a powerless lifestyle but when God said, “fight the good fight of faith” it was not presented as an option – but a demand. “And you will be hated of all men for my names sake: but he that endures to the end will be saved” (Mathew 10:22)

The message is the same now as it was then. Get in Christ – get in faith. Get in faith – get in a fight. Get in a fight – get the victory! If we do not choose to walk in the spirit, we will automatically walk in the old system and we will not be effective in the kingdom. If we war in the flesh – we are already defeated. If we are carnal – we are not in Christ! Threaten the enemy instead of allowing him to bluff you. Tell him that every time he influences or attacks you that you will instantly pray to God in tongues. Then instead of the devil being on offense against you, you have just turned the tables and put the devil on defense because you are now on offence. He will begin to see that trying to hurt you is hurting him much worse. Face the devil and tell him to get out of your life forever – NOW! If he comes back – do it again! It is all based on our faith in Jesus BLOOD and the authority of God. The Almighty never designed us to take care of ourselves or fight in our own strength. Our needs do not move God to act on our behalf. Our FAITH moves God and activates HIS power and this is the miracle that will manifest our confessions and cause our prayers to change circumstances. It is HIS POWER that creates the fruit of our lips and generates the SUPER-NATURAL in the power of our tongue. Let us not cower in fear to him who is already defeated! “I pursue my enemies and overtake them; I will not back down until they are destroyed.” (Psalm 18:37)