Which Side Will You Choose?

In our government, we have basically two powerful parties that are competing for power and control. These two parties have philosophies that generally conflict with one another. The party that is in control at the moment sets the basic direction for our country.

“The heavenly places” is like our government on a universal scale. Decisions are made there that affects our lives. There are two opposing parties… the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan… each wanting to promote its own agenda.

Our party… headed by Jesus Christ… has veto power. Satan’s party seeks to undermine, sabotage, and destroy all those that are in Jesus Christ’s party. Satan also attempts to keep the members of his part from switching their allegiance to Jesus Christ.

We are to be thankful that God has established His throne in heavenly places… because a war is on out there… pitting His kingdom against the kingdom of darkness. Satan is the king of the kingdom of darkness and he wants to be in charge of the universe.

There is no question that the kingdom of God and His King, Jesus Christ, are firmly in charge of the universe. Jesus’ eternal victory is already assured. But God has allowed us to choose who will be in charge of our individual lives.

Some people have chosen Satan… and they will spend eternity in hell with him. Those of us who have chosen Christ will live eternally with Him. While we are here on earth… we need to choose Christ each day in terms of our spiritual warfare.

The reason this is important is because it is possible for children of God’s kingdom to live as though they belong to Satan. That would be like Democrats or Republicans who look and sound like loyal party members, but when they go into the voting booth… they secretly vote for the other party. It’s the vote that counts… not the look or the talk.

Sometimes, Christians fail to vote for the kingdom of light. This allows the effect of the kingdom of darkness to come upon them… even though they are part of the kingdom of light.

There are many types of restaurants in the world. You can choose fast food or healthy food. If you want to be healthy you have to purchase your food at a place that serves it.

God has stocked earth with heaven… so all you and I have to do to enjoy the benefits of heaven is know where to shop.

The reason so many Christians are messed up is because they have been buying and eating the wrong foods… food that doesn’t belong to the kingdom of God. They are dining in the devil’s kingdom and wondering, why am I so spiritually weak all the time? Why am I always so defeated in spiritual warfare?

Satan is smart… he knows how to make his food look good. He knows how to make you want to select his stuff and buy it… because it looks so appealing. But it’s not good or you. It will make you spiritually weak and sick.

My next blog will about our enemy… Satan… and his goal and strategy.

How to Obtain Power

 

And they were astonished at his doctrine: for his word was with power. —Luke 4:32, KJV

In a sense, most of us want spiritual power—to experience signs and wonders. However, we often lack spiritual power because the Word is woefully lacking within our lives. What then is the basis of God‘s giving spiritual power to His followers?

1. Personal reading of the Scriptures

We have to ask ourselves a question: “Have I read my Bible completely through?” A poll was taken suggesting that the average clergyman spends an average of four minutes a day alone with the Lord. Then we wonder why the church is powerless. Personal reading of the Scriptures is the first step to power.

2. Personal revelation of the Scriptures

When is the last time the Scriptures got hold of you and shook revelation knowledge into your life? Spurgeon said, “If a text gets hold of you, chances are you’ve got hold of it.”

3. Personal rethinking of the Scriptures

Many of us have accepted uncritically a hand-me-down point of view, secondhand Bible revelation, and secondhand doctrine. There is no personal rethinking by which we acquire the real meaning of the verse.

4. Personal release of the Spirit

Release of the Spirit comes from the Spirit Himself. If you want power, then it’s going to have to come from the Spirit. The Bible is just about His finest accomplishment. It’s His product. He likes it when you like His Word.

The scope for power will be found to the degree that we value His own Word. Power that flows from His name will be in proportion to our love for His Word. When that love is expressed, don’t be surprised to see healings and miracles. There may be no need for people to line up to be prayed for. It will happen right where they are.

Excerpted from The Word and the Spirit (Charisma House, 1998).