Musing – Are We at War, Fighting for Souls?

 

Hebraic Musing – Are We at War, Fighting for Souls?

Do we pray to God for the lost to be saved?  He already told us His goal – “…not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”  2 Peter 3:9b NKJV   The lost are children of the Devil, already blinded to the Gospel by the god of this age.  “But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, …”  2 Corinth.4:3-4 NKJV 

May I contend that we cannot win a soul to Christ until we understand that “No one can enter a strong man's house and plunder his goods, unless he first binds the strong man. And then he will plunder his house.” Mark 3:27    So to win souls requires a declaration of war against the “Strong Man”.   What weapons do we have?   “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds,  casting down arguments … that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, …,” 2 Corinth.10:4   How do we fight this war?

·      Prayer is warfare -  “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thess.5:16-18              Pray continually. “but we will give ourselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word.” Acts 6:4     Prayer is a powerful weapon.

·      The Blood of Christ –   “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.” Rev 12:11   Note the willingness to fight to their own death!     Through Jesus’ death on the cross, He took over the right to rule the world.

·      The Name of Jesus – “Then the seventy (who went out) returned with joy, saying, “Lord, even the demons are subject to us in Your name.” Luke 10:17    Why is the Name of Jesus so powerful?

o  Col. 1:16 – “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, … whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.”

o  Hebrews 2:14 – “… through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil,

o  1 Peter 3:22 – Through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, He “…has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.”

·      The Word of God – “And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God”  Eph 6:17   He took legalism out of our way and “Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” Colossians 2:15    Truth wins every time!

·      Praise -   “Now when they began to sing and to praise, the LORD set ambushes against the people … who had come against Judah; and they were defeated.”  2 Chronicles 20:22

·      Fasting -  Supercharges the power of prayer!   “This kind can come out by nothing but prayer and fasting.” Mark 9:29     Cornelius said, “Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; … and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing, and said, ‘Cornelius, your prayer has been heard,’” Acts 10:30-31

·      Love – This might be the most important weapon as it motivates us to warfare.  The Greatest Gift “bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.  Love never fails.” 1 Corinthians.13:7-8

What happened when Jesus cast legions of demons from the Gadarene?  “Now the man from whom the demons had departed begged Him that he might be with Him. But Jesus sent him away, saying, ‘Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you.’ And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him.” Luke 8:38-39   He became a fanatical evangelist!!!

Points to ponder

Has Jesus done enough for you to become a “fanatical Evangelist”?

Do we utilize all the authority we have been given?  Why not?

What’s your neighbor’s biggest need?  How can you help?

All this warfare requires hard work, so
does that explains why 95% of professing “Christians” never lead someone to Christ?

♫  Praise with the Spirit And with understanding. Oh magnify the Lord!....  ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                      February 15, 2022

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith”
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”  Weekly “Hebraic Musings” http://insightsbyyosef.blogspot.com/

Note – Inspired by & excerpted from “Praying Effectively for the Lost” Chapter 5 - Lee E. Thomas