Temperament of a Believer
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (Eph. 4:3, NIV)
Christianity is under attack in this country. Our schools have removed all traces of it - even the Ten Commandments. Our government and judicial system is bending over backwards to eliminate God from our society. The evident lack of morality is a heavy burden to be born by the citizens of this country. How do you stand up to such attacks? Consider the example of the Apostle Paul as he constantly defended his own life and ministry from worldly attacks. Using these insights, every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ can use these insights will help your daily walk.Paul had to defend his ministry to the Corinthians against some "false apostles" who made claims that Paul was a man of the world, not of God. Nothing could be further from the truth. Many who study superficially the writings of Paul think that he was arrogant. Actually, Paul had a tremendous gift of love - he truly loved and cared for people of all walks of life and made every effort to bring them to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
"By the meekness and gentleness of Christ, I appeal to you - I, Paul..." (2 Cor 10:1). Here Paul gives us the first characteristic of a believer. Meekness in this passage refers to an "inwrought grace of the soul directed towards God". In other words, meekness refers not to the outward personality of a believer but to a spiritual demeanor. Someone in class said it was "controlled strength". As a believer in Christ Jesus, you have a superior position in the family of God. In Christ, you have the infinite resources of God to bring to bear in you daily life. Lest you get cocky, understand that apart from Christ, our position is pitiable indeed. As Jesus said: "Apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5).
Boldness comes from knowing who you are, what you've got, and where you're going. Paul referred to himself in every letter as "an Apostle of Christ Jesus" (2 Cor 1:1). This was conferred to him "by the will of God" (2 Cor 1:1), "by the command of God" (Titus 1:1), and as "an apostle - sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father (Gal.1:1)". Paul knew God through faith in Jesus Christ and he acted in the will of God. His faith was "a secure fortress" (Prov 14:26). Paul could be bold because he had access to the throne room of God at all times: In him and through faith in him [Christ] we may approach God with freedom and confidence (Eph 3:12).
Our spiritual life is just as real as our physical life. Why do we pretend it is not? Perhaps it would bode well for us to contemplate that eternal life is inevitable for all of us. For the believer, it is life forever with God. For the unbeliever, the penalty of unbelief is to be cast into Hell, separated from God's provision and blessing forever. Either way, the 60, 70, or 80 years we spend in this age is "peanuts," relatively speaking. That is why Paul emphasizes:
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God... 2 Corinthians 10:3-5a
Who is the enemy in this war? The enemy is not difficult people (Eph. 6:12). The believer has three enemies: Satan, the world system, and our own body. Each will try to defeat our walk by faith in Christ. In Ephesians 6, Paul explains to the believer how to put on the full armor of God to defend against our enemies. The point is that we must be in Christ and continue in Him to be able to overcome the trials and temptations set before us. Put on the armor.
How heartbreaking it must be to God when a believer has access to His infinite resources and the body of believers (the Church) and yet doesn't avail himself of them. I rather think it's like putting on your armor backwards...and then getting smacked in the face. Think about it!
Our Creator God loves you and wants you to know Him! If you would like to contact this ministry for further information or questions, please send your e-mail to:
Email: ministryrequest1@WordTruth.Com
Web Site: WordTruth.ComCopyright 3/29/2001, Randy Lariscy.
