Without a doubt we can all agree that from the moment we became followers of Jesus Christ we entered a “fight.” According to Eph. 6:11-12, our opponent is not a democrat or a republican but rather an invisible, relentless evil called the devil whose only desire is to knock us out. Because we don’t know how to duck and weave his punches we stay wide open for his repeated “sucker punches.” This deceptive opponent’s goal is to shock us and put us “down for the count” so we’re unable to stand and fight the good fight. I’m sure you all can relate to the experience of receiving an unexpected blow to your life causing you to lose conscious awareness of who you are in Christ and who you are called to be. It’s in this moment our referee (the Holy Spirit) steps in and begins the “10 Count.” This period of time is a season of grace that we’re given to make a choice. Will we stand back up and join the fight or do we stay flat on the canvas and give up. One thing is for certain without God’s renewed strategy and strength we will remain knocked out and down for the count.
Let’s take a close look at God’s strategy to renew our strength and get us back on our feet to fight again. In Eph. 6:13, we have a detailed description of what we should have on, “His Armor.” We also see the offensive position we must assume found in vs. 18, “pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers. , with all prayer and supplication.” Our offensive weapon and position is PRAYER. It is critical for our ability to stand fast and fight a good fight. Remember, as the Holy Spirit assumes His role as our legal referee, we are given a period of time to respond to His grace, to wake up, to stand up and take our rightful place again. To win this fight, we must during this critical time, allow God’s truth to bring us back, with His smelling salts of honesty as we deal with disobedience and self-strength. Without the smelling-salts of honesty we set ourselves up for the devils “Haymaker’s”, (A legal right to knock us out with an offensive blow.) But if we chose to position ourselves, “praying in the Spirit, and staying alert,” we enter His promised place of strength, called God’s REST. Heb. 4:10, “For he who has entered His rest has himself ceased from his works as God did from His.” As we enter this promised place of rest we come into an agreement with God’s strategy and strength. God provided this place as He created the 7th day Sabbath Rest, an appointed time each week. As I considered the importance of positioning myself in God’s strength and the “ten count” season of grace, I remembered what season we are celebrating on His calendar. This is the appointed season by God for His people to celebrate the fall feasts. Beginning in September on a Sabbath and continuing into October we celebrate Rosh Hashanah ( the Jewish new year), Yom Kippur (the day of judgement), and the Feast of Tabernacles (feast of ingathering). As Christians these appointed times are our “dress rehearsals” for first, the Rapture of the Church, second, the judgement seat of Christ for His Church, and finally Christ’s return with His Church to establish His kingdom on earth. During this season there is a critical 10 day period that begins at Rosh Hashanah end ends at Yom Kippur that is called, ” the Days of Awe”. During this 10 day period we, “wake up” to areas of sin in our lives that have caused us to be stuck, not fulfilling our potentials and God’s call in our lives. This time is truly God’s goodness leading us to repentance (Romans 2:4). Repentance is what allows us to stand to fight, “the good fight,” (I Timothy 6:12) “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” This scripture is painting a picture of you, who might have been knocked down for the 10 count, but not knocked out!!! Hearing the 10 count from our referee, the Holy Spirit you take hold of the ropes of the ring (eternal life), raise up and stand declaring, “I’m back, ring the bell, sound the shofar,” to the sold out crowd of spectators (the many witnesses). It’s time to take our position in God’s armor and place of promised rest, bringing our first fruits offering (Deut. 16:16) during this amazing season on His calendar, in all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful. These “dress rehearsals” will soon become the “opening act” of The Second Coming of the Son of God. ” Maranatha” come soon Lord Jesus!
Question: Are you fighting the good fight or fighting with yourself, in your self strength are you laying flat on the canvas?
Key Thought: Our ability to continue the spiritual fight we’re in and remain standing, being strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10) we need two “P’s”. PUT On The Full Armor of God, without it your naked and exposed. POSITION ourselves in the place of God’s promised rest. Praying always in the Holy Spirit, staying alert at all times.
Victor Alinen 