VB137 God Works Through Us
God Works Through Us
[Gen 1:26; Eph 1:21; 6:11-13; James 4:7]
Gen 1:26 (ESV) –Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
God created Adam to have dominion. He was royalty, in full authority of the planet. In a day, Adam ended his position and comfortable life in the garden of Eden (Gen 3:23). His relationship with God was lost. His choice to disobey God changed everything for God’s family. Mankind became a slave to sin, and a wage earner on the devil’s payroll (Rom 6:23).
By disobedience Adam yielded his authority to the deceiver, who became “the prince of this world” (See, Jn 12:31; 14:30; 16:11).
God declared war between the serpent’s seed and the seed of woman (Gen 3:15). From then on, the deceiver would be on constant watch for the Seed and made plans to prevent the arrival of the one who was to crush his head.
In the fullness of time Jesus (Gal 4:4; Eph 1:10), the Seed of the woman,1 was born. As the Son of Man on earth, Jesus was not the average passive citizen who suffered the attacks of the devil. He was the captain of the host of the Lord (Josh 5:14). Our hero marched to victory through suffering and death. Even nailing his feet to the Cross could not keep him from crushing satan’s head under his heal, before He ascended to the throne.
Now glorified and seated at the Father’s right hand,
Eph 1:21 (ESV) –far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.
Jesus is Lord of all, and above any of satan’s attacks. The work of Calvary is complete.
However, the significance of that victory over the powers of evil, and its practical application in the world system, is now in the hands of the church on earth. We are seated in Christ at the right hand of the Father in heaven with His authority. We are in position to use authority in the earth, as if Adam hadn’t sinned. Now the bitter hatred of satan is directed against the ekklesia, members of the captain’s body.2
In his true miserable character, the adversary is still determined to stop the finished work of Christ in us. His fiery darts hit members of Christ’s body who have not yet learned to take their position (by faith) in heavenly places with Christ. Pastors and teachers must train those who are trying to survive without the whole armor of God.
Eph 6:11-13 (ESV) – [11] Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. [12] For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. [13] Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Many need to be trained to take their stand against the schemes of the devil in prayer. We all need to realize and internalize the Good News of the finished work of Jesus.
The fact that we are in Christ and He in us, tells me that His aggression against the kingdom of darkness must be declared through us. We are no longer civilians, living as if there were no war. We must allow Holy Spirit to conform us to the warrior-image of our Commander-in-Chief. Realize that now, Jesus is “the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the heir to David’s throne” (Rev 5:5). The entire history of the saints is marked with battle. The Bible is the ultimate book on warfare.
I believe that the battle of the Cross was won in prayer at Gethsemane. Encounter with the enemy always takes place with words spoken into the spiritual realm. It is always better to use our weapons early, rather than wait to return fire after an attack.
Jesus taught His disciples the need to pray, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Mt 6:10). God has limited certain of His activities to responding to the prayers of His people. Unless they pray, He will not act.
The will of God is not done on earth by an omnipotent force “from up above” overriding or ignoring the authority of man on earth. On the contrary, God’s hand is held back while He looks for a man (Ezek 22:30), an intercessor to appeal, “Thy will be done on earth,” in specific situations.
The Cross of Jesus Christ is the focal point in history where the redemptive work of God for man was accomplished. Gethsemane (Mt 26:36; Mk 14:32) was where the necessary action of Jesus (the man’s part) made it possible for that plan to be successfully fulfilled on earth.
The sacrifice at Calvary happened because Jesus, the man, willed with God for it to happen. As His prayer groaned upward, “Thy will be done,” the intercession made it possible for the Father to sacrifice His Lamb.
If we are to be Christlike, we must have God walking in us, and operating through us.
Jesus won His battle praying in that garden with what was possibly a one-sentence prayer, though it involved His life. There, our Savior knelt and made the appeal to heaven, “Thy will be done.”
In the Gethsemane battle the Lord Jesus teaches us two important things:
James 4:7 (ESV) –Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
God’s warfare against satan is carried on by His submissive people actively resisting the devil, by insisting at all cost, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”
PRAYER:
Oh lord, help me accept the fact that I’m in a battle. I am responsible to seek you, and do your will on earth, by resisting the enemy’s attempts to prevent that will.
Help me Lord to sharpen my skills at using your Word – to be on the offensive, not waiting for the enemy to attack. I choose to be on the battle line of spreading the good news of the kingdom of heaven. Thy will be done on earth, through your people. Amen.
Decree:
I disentangle myself from the comforts of civilian living, so that I may be a good soldier of Jesus Christ. I am aggressive in battle, I contend for the faith. The gates of hell do not stand a chance!
Whatever stands between you and your Bible, is a tool of the enemy!
God bless you my friend,
1Mankind fell through the impulsiveness of the woman, mankind is redeemed through the obedience of a woman in the supernatural conception of the Messiah by the Holy Spirit. It is interesting that Mary said, “Be it unto me according to your word” (Lk 1:38) i.e., God’s will be done.
2See, VB062 Ekklesia; VB008 What Authority & Why The Battle?
