On this 4th of July weekend, many of us will be spending time with family and friends, celebrating when the Founding Fathers of this nation declared independence from Britain. At great cost to themselves, their family and friends, they waged war against Britain to gain independence. This American experiment has led to many human freedoms that most countries have never (or barely) experienced. So, it is right to give God thanks for the freedoms we have and to be grateful for what God has allowed in this country.
That said, I think all of us recognize that this free country is also a fallen country. No matter what laws are put in place, people still pursue sinful license. As a result, we confess with the Scriptures that this world is not our home, and we also recognize that there’s a greater freedom needed than freedom from another country.
In the book of Ephesians, the apostle Paul talks about a different (and even greater) warfare. After talking about the great privileges of salvation that God has given us in Christ – transferring us from the Kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of light through what Christ has done to both save and grow us – then Paul comes to the end and says,
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”
There’s a battle in this world, and Paul has said that Jesus declared the battle won at the cross and resurrection, but Satan still wages war against this world until he is punished completely. But this battle is worth it. As we fight against temptations from within and even temptations that come at us, we fight knowing that our King has won and He’s coming again. And when He comes again, He’s bringing the Kingdom in all of its fullness. There will be a day when heaven and earth become the New Heaven and New Earth. No more death, decay or sin whatsoever! And that world is my home!
So, let’s reiterate in our souls that we’re in a battle, but this battle is worth it. Even this week as we come together in worship, we are to remind ourselves of these truths and the Bible even tells us that praise is part of battling against sin. So, let’s battle. Let’s war, and let’s pray that as we gather this coming Sunday we would experience a taste of the worship and praise that will happen in the kingdom to come!
Timothy Durey