Spiritual Battle

In him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.

CHRISTIANS SOMETIMES SAY, “When Jesus died on the cross, he died just for me.” Without question, there is truth here, for Jesus personally died for you and me.^a But we must not stop there. According to Jesus’ own words, he died so that “repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations.”^b

We live in a fallen world of sin, suffering, and death. For centuries, creation longed for a coming king who would conquer all these things. That king came in the person of Jesus Christ. He did what no one else in history has ever done or will ever do again, and now he is “seated . . . at [God’s] right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come.”^c

He is not seated there simply to watch what is happening on earth. Through his Spirit, whom he sent, he is leading his people to proclaim his truth in every corner of the earth.

As followers of Christ, every one of us finds ourselves on the front lines of a spiritual battle that is raging for the souls of men and women right around us and all around the world. The all-sovereign Son of God, our Savior, is above us, sitting in the seat of heavenly command, with all authority in heaven and on earth. Day and night, he intercedes for us, and for the benefit of every person on the planet who remains captive to sin, Satan, and death, he is committed to giving us everything we need to tell them, “There is Good News. Turn from sin and death, trust in the life-giving, grave-conquering King, and you will live with him forever.”

Disciples of Jesus know that he is not merely a personal Lord and Savior, worthy of our individual approval. Disciples of Jesus know that he is ultimately the cosmic Lord and Savior, worthy of everyone’s eternal praise.

Confess your need for God in light of Satan’s attacks. Ask him to strengthen you with his Word in the power of the Spirit.