PEACE ONLY COMES AFTER VICTORY.
With every great battle there is sacrifice to arrive at a peaceful condition. In World War II when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor the world was thrown into a confused state not only in conflict of war but also in moral and ethical decisions that had to be dealt with. The peace that was known was disrupted and was to be further interrupted by the atrocities of Adolph Hitler and the Germans. These battles did not end until the dropping of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima and the final invasion on Germany and death of Hitler. The advisories were defeated and peace in these areas were reestablished. Israel after they crossed the Red Sea out of Egypt under the guidance of Moses failed to reach the promise land due to their disbelief and wandered 40 years in the wilderness until they destroyed the Ites in the land under the Leadership of Joshua. The Lord told them he would go before them and defeat their enemies as he promises us he will deliver us from the Ites of unrighteousness in our land and spiritual journey. We as humans living in sin prior to knowing Christ existed without really understanding true peace due to the Ites in our lives . The battle continues after we are saved and we strive to defeat the Ites as Israel did so at our end of this human life we will receive the promise. Our enemies continue to try to break down our walls of protection. We are protected by praying to our Savior and he is faithful and just to hear our prayers and go before us to help us be victorious in the battle.
Phil 4:6-7
6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
NKJV
Until wars come to an end there can never be peace. There must be an end for there to be a beginning or rebuilding. We know the consequences of war, the devastating losses of children loved ones and friends. When it all ends there is an absolute peace and calm which sends the message of victory. We who walk with the Lord have an inner battle, we carry that conflict of our sinful Adamic nature that is at war with the divine nature of Chris and the Holy Spirit. Paul the Apostle in the book of Romans speaks of this affliction and the continuing war. Paul himself was afflicted with this and waged war against his own Ites,
Rom 7:18-24
18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.
21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
NKJV
Paul was at war with this conflict of the inner man the fleshly weakness this battle within causing him to be subject to the laws of sin and death. Delighting in the law of God which was his defense against the attacks of the enemy and depending on the Spirit to carry him through the battle. Paul tells us that the flesh will never please God and that to be minded in the spirit helps us to strive for spiritual things.
Rom 8:5-8
5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.
8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.
KJV
The battle seems endless for all of us if we do as Paul points out (to be carnally minded) bringing this mind under subjection is the key component to winning the battle. In the 5th chapter of Galatians we can see that the key defense is to walk in the Spirit and applying the word. Jesus told the Disciples in the Gospel of John 14th chapter that the spirit would lead them into all truth. This is our power behind the ammunition of the Gospel of peace to give us the proper defense to defeat the enemy.
Gal 5:16-18
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
NKJV
John 14:26
26 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
KJV
Let us be strong in the Lord and the power of his Might! Let us stand Steadfast and Unmovable! Let us draw on the Spirit of Truth! Continuing in prayer and keeping our eyes on the goal, shining our light in this world. If we continue in these truths we will have Victory and Peace! (Peace only comes after Victory.)
Keith Mears (Man Alive)
Tags: anxious, children, comfort, confused, death, evil, faith, giving, gospel, holy, leadership, lord, love, lust, peace, savior, sin, spirit, truth
