‘A dead calm is our enemy, a storm may prove our helper. Controversy may arouse thought, and through thought may come Divine change.’ – C H Spurgeon
The Christian is never promised a life of ease and tranquillity, in fact the Word of God explains we should expect the opposite. Jesus said, ‘in this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world’. Elsewhere the Apostle Paul explains that none of the hardships we face in both the physical or spiritual realm will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. In the world today we see a style of ‘easy belief.’ Another gospel which brings no deep repentance and divine change in the heart and mind of man, when in truth only the deep conviction of the Holy Spirit can bring man to real life change and prepare him or her for the Christian life. Conversion comes only through a ‘face to face’ encounter.
- Face to face with the truth of our condition and sin – Leading to repentance and confession
- Face to face with the truth that only Christ can save us from hell and separation from God in eternity – Leading to reconciliation through the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus.
- Face to face with our desperation for God Himself – Leading to relationship through Christ and a brand new life.
There is a danger that man approaches God because he needs Him to fix all his life problems that he may arrive at peace. Jesus does not come to us as a mere problem solver and provider of peace, he has to come as our Saviour and Lord. If all you want Him to do is to provide you with ‘dead calm’ in life then this is a clear and present danger.
YOU ARE IN THE ARMY NOW!
My friend John Glass, previous GS of the Elim movement relayed a conversation that took place between himself and Michael MTumi, who was then the leader of the largest and fastest growing Pentecostal denomination in the world. John asked, ‘what was the key to the growth and the willingness to serve among the Pastors and leaders?’ Michael replied, ‘you lead a group of people who are a denomination whereas I lead an army’.
When you came to Christ you joined an army of believers who must follow in obedience to the Commander-in-Chief. Jesus himself is the Commander of the army of God.
- We are never called to physical war, but we called to the spiritual warfare of prayer.
- We are never called to violence, but we are called to take hold of the Kingdom.
- We are never called to be hostile or aggressive, but always called to love and peace.
We are called to lay down our lives in absolute surrender to the will and purpose of God.
You cannot be in the army and personally decide to stay in the safety zone. You must rise up and ‘go over the top’ leaving the trench of your problems and issues that have restricted you from being effective in service for many years. Be prepared to face the onslaught of all that life can bring with determination and faith to press through in the battle. You are on the winning side not because of the easy life you are called to live, but because the battle belongs to the Lord and he is always fighting for us.
God always leads us in triumph and victory. He will deal with your problems, and promises you peace in every trial and every storm, but right now bring your full focus on serving in the army and God will deal with the rest in His way and in His time.
