Cross Points 10.21.21

“God has a plan for your life.” Heard that? There’s truth to it, but not in the context of what most people mean when they say those words. The statement is usually made with good things in mind on the horizon, near and not far. The reality? God’s plan is to save us amidst war and then prepare us for the battle. Listen to these words… “Now war arose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon. And the dragon and his angels fought back, but he was defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called Satan, the deceiver of the whole world – thrown down to earth, and his angels were with him” (Rev. 12:7-9). God’s “plan” in the beginning was for peace in Eden, but as we know, Adam and Eve messed it up and were ejected from Eden. Sin entered the world and all of us have participated in some fashion. But remember, it’s not just “sin” that plagues us, Satan was thrown down to earth and he continues his battle against God by seeking our destruction. If he can keep us in the throws of sin, if he can keep us away from the Messiah, temp us with selfishness, mess with our mind using all the craziness of life – sickness, oppressors, nation against nation, politics, estranged relationships, distractions (TV, movies, social media, sports, etc.), the ever present threat of death breathing down our necks, loss of loved ones – he has the advantage. War! “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 heavenly places,” Paul tells the Ephesians (6:12). It’s a spiritual war, to be sure, but it has many physical implications. Car accidents, sickness, natures forces (tornados, floods, etc.), and many things we struggle with, at their core, all due to sin messing up the perfect world God originally created. Have you read the Bible? From the beginning, culminating at one point during Noah’s time, throughout the time of the Patriarchs, the time of Moses and Israel, into the realm of Jesus and his apostles, and continuing for us, some type of war is being fought between the forces of good and evil. Sometimes “within” the forces of good, as people stray from God’s way. Collateral damage occurs. In his book Waking the Dead, John Eldredge says, “Until we come to terms with war as the context of our days, we will not understand life.” I’m afraid it’s true, as much as we don’t want to hear that. We prefer the spoiled American Christian mindset of - be good people, go to church, and God will bless you with good things in this life. We’ve experienced an unusual bubble in this country, where generally Christians were able to prosper by worldly standards in an environment of acceptance. That is ending, historical reality is about to hit us. Will we face the evils of our society, the persecution that may take place, and be able to stay faithful, stay loving, stay true to Christian characteristics while spreading the good news of Jesus? There is a time coming when the lion will lie down with the lamb, when we beat swords into plowshares, but it is not here yet. Jesus tarries, wanting as many as possible to be saved. Meanwhile, the battle goes on. Satan will not give up until God forces him into the lake of fire after his final defeat by Jesus (Rev. 20:10). There are many good things we can experience in this life. God wants us to, but within the context of trusting and obeying him. While true, sin will keep messing with us. As I write this I’ve been surrounded by close friends struggling with illness and death, with struggles at work due to absences caused by accidents and COVID, with loved ones facing depression, with knowledge of young people taking their own lives out of frustration, and it all weighs on me. Such things weigh on you too, I know. What about this “plan” God has? Just know it’s not what we tend to think in this selfish world. Here’s part of the plan, listen: “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” (Eph. 6:13-17). Paul goes on to talk about the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. We are at war, my friend, do not be fooled into thinking otherwise. “The thief comes to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full” (John 10:10). God’s plan is for you to experience life to the full! That will come. But right now, the thief is at work, we must prepare ourselves to oppose him, with faith and the tools God provides. Is there bad stuff going on in your life? This is why. But God is at work through Jesus, bringing good amid bad, and eventually heaven! The answer is not to blame God, but to arm yourself for battle.