Give it a Second Thought

If you are a born again Christian, then you know that we were not saved by our good works, but we were saved for good works. When we become saved there are some expectations of us. We are expected to spread the Gospel, we have been told to go and make disciples of the nations: “Go ye therefore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost,” Matthew 28:19.

Noah was told to build a ship in the middle of the desert. God has tasks for those that are His and He expects us to follow through with those tasks and be good stewards of what we have been given.

Knowing this, we’re told that we were not saved by works, we know we did not work for our salvation but we were also told to work out our salvation. God’s expectation is that our salvation be active and spread by our effort. Philippians 2:12 “Therefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

This indicates that not only are we to grow and mature in our walk in salvation, but we are also to be busy for God doing that which He has commanded. This does not mean it will be easy; in fact there is clear indication it will be difficult. We are taught we will be hated and despised, that the path will be hard, but the reward great! If we are serving God, then we will be opposed at every turn.

I believe if a person is not facing resistance, then they are not truly serving as God’s will would have them, and here is why: Matthew 7:22 “Many will say to me on that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name have you done many wonderful works?”

This is evidence that some will serve for their own purpose and in their own will, often for fame or personal gain instead of God’s will. Oh, sure, they cast out devils, but it was the power of God’s name that cast them out. It wasn’t God blessing their effort.

When we begin to serve there will be resistance—that is what the adversary does. Satan, contrary to what some believe, cannot own your soul. He only wishes to separate us from God; he hates us and he hates God, and separating those that God loves from Him is the devil’s intent.

We do, however, have protections, and the first is prayer. The scripture teaches us that the life of a Christian is an ongoing battle, a continuing war through our lives as followers of Christ. Along with prayer, we were given the Armor of God. Ephesians 6:12 tells us of our enemy, “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.”

This explains the opposition with whom we war, and we need to be equipped for the fight. Ephesians 6:13-18 “13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”

This armor was not only for protection but it included a weapon for fighting, so that we would be able to stand and be effective in the attacks. Ephesians 6:10-11 elaborates on this understanding: “10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”

For the entirety of my Christian life, I have been taught to “get up in the morning and put on the full Armor of God”. Having asked, I’ve been told by most they were taught the same. Well, I feel this is a failed teaching.

Why? you ask. The adversary never rests! Not in the day nor in the night, so therefore, we should never take off the armor. I recently explained this same advice to a preacher who has often been tormented in his sleep. You see, we were never told to remove the armor.

We were told only to put it on. I explained to this preacher that when he lay down at night to pull that shield of Faith up over his face and sleep. So my advice to all is never, ever take that armor off. Keep it on so that the adversary understands you are prepared for battle.

The scripture teaches us that the evil in this world seeks the easy path, so please do not make yourself easy prey for him. In fact, we are told in James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” Resistance is the key to our path forward. We cannot advance if we are always taking cover and hiding.

This is one of the tools that Satan uses to make Christians weak and ineffective, so resist and stand firm. As Paul stated, “Fight the good fight, keep the faith, and stay the course that we may serve the Lord our God and be fruitful for Him!”

“As constant as you sin, so constant is His forgiveness.”

-Charles Spurgeon

Kenneth Kellar
A Man Called by God to Teach and Disciple