How To Fight? Stand in Christ

May 31, Memorial Day: today, the citizens of the United States recognize and celebrate the contributions of our armed men and women, troops sent and stationed in many nations, fighting wars on our behalf, whether justified or unjustified in the minds of the people whom they were sworn to serve and protect.

Like the military commissioned to stand guard and fight on our behalf, every believer is a citizen and a soldier, but of the everlasting kingdom of heaven:

"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;" (Ephesians 2: 19)

and

"Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." (2 Timothy 2:3)

Not just arms and legs, but we are all one in the Corps of Jesus Christ. We are at war, not with people, but powers and principalities, who attack our minds in attempts to deceive us from the truth of who were are (2 Corinthians 10: 3-7)

We fight against spirit elements who afflict us with lies (2 Timothy 1: 7). Yet when Christ ascended into heaven and sat in triumphant glory, he was raised above all of these powers and principalities:

"And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins:

"But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

"From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool.

"For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." (Hebrews 10: 11-14)

For Jesus, it is a matter of time before these powers and principalities are subdued. So is the case for every believer:

"Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world." (1 John 4: 17)

Paul confirms are standing above all the evil minions of the enemy. After oulining that Jesus sits in glory above all powers and principalities (Ephesians 1: 20-23), he informs the believer that we are seated with Christ, also above the same demonic forces:

"And [God the Father] hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: (Ephesians 2: 6)

In the same epistle, Paul outlines how we fight:

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.

"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

"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.

"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." (Ephesians 6: 10-13)

Intriguingly, the proper translation for "we wrestle" should be "the wrestling." We do not need to fight or struggle against the enemy, for he is a defeated foe who mus submit to us, who are victories in this world as Christ is seated in high places. The enemy can only attempt to deceive us into relinquishing our standing in Christ. Yet as we grow in grace and knowledge of the Lord, trusting in His growing goodness to protect us and to heal us and to deliver us, relying on the Word, the sword of the Spirit, the Devil and his minions lose power, for their lies fall against the truth of God's Word, sharper than any two-edged sword :(Hebrews 4: 12)

Like Jesus in the Wilderness, our knowledge of the Word renews our mind to who we are in Christ, that He within us is greater than any obstacle before us (1 John 4: 4) Therefore do we sit in glory, walk in victory, and stand triumphant against all the wiles of the enemy.