Delegated Authority - Part 3

     In the last blog we saw how the violent use force to establish their ways on the earth. In most cases, this force is exerted through “judicial” channels. Their “authority” is established through re-educational games and rewriting history to deceive the unsuspecting masses. We can cry “foul” all we want, but the bottom line is that this is the mystery of lawlessness at work in this appointed time.
       No matter how hard we try, we can’t change God’s timetable, even if it seems unjust. Just ask David. Many of his Psalms (see Ps. 64 for example), bemoan the state of affairs in his country. Yet David is in the know. He knows that this injustice will not last; there is an appointed Day of Vengeance. As Paul explained in Acts 17:26, God “has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their preappointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings.” Only God changes the times and the seasons and the nations.
        The Chronos Lesson: So what do we do? Do we fight back, trying to use the same judicial, educational, and media channels? There is a time and place for that. But it is not our major assault. Here’s how Paul explained our battle strategy in Eph. 6:10-13.
        “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 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.”
       The next few verses describe our unusual armor. The passage begins with the key command: Stand. When we take a closer look at the armor, it all has to do with our mind grasping the spiritual realities of who we are in Christ:

• the truth and reliability of God’s Word, our righteousness (right-standing with God because of justification and forgiveness)
• the peace that passes understanding because we are yoked with Christ
• the measure of God’s faith we’ve been given
• the power of salvation over every aspect of our lives
• the power of God’s Word transforming us
• and the power of the Spirit enlightening us and empowering us.

       In short, our battle isn’t with the world around us; our battle is in our mind. Our fight isn’t with the people blinded by Satan; our fight is with the ungodly thoughts and habits we’ve picked up along the way that don’t line up with God’s Word. You know, the negative strongholds.
       “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled” (2 Cor. 10:4-6).
        As for the positive strongholds? They begin with the truths of the Gospel. “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). But it’s not just the truths you have heard and accepted as from God. It’s not just the truths that you mentally agree with. They are the truths that you have come to know through study and through practical experience. That is how we stand in these times.
        Standing is not inactivity. It is living according to the grace and authority that is ours. When we are light in this way, hurting and confused people will be drawn to it. Nor is this escapism as some bewail. No, this is boot camp! We’re in training for reigning in the age to come and into eternity.