Today I was waiting to get my daily dose of the Word from my favorite non-shouting Bible teacher on Christian satellite television. An advertisement aired in the station break for another show at some time and a man was shouting from the pulpit that “there is spiritual warfare going on in the heavenlies.” Thank God it was just a teaser for the show — it saved me having to watch it.
I’ve read that Jesus “having spoiled principalities and powers, he [Jesus] made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it” (Colossians 2:15). Well, did He or didn’t He? “Now thanks be unto God, who always causes us to triumph in Christ” (II Corinthians 2:14). Well, does He or doesn’t He? And guess where the only fight is really going on! In the heavenlies? I think not. “For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ” (II Corinthians 10:4-5 ESV). The only battle is in your thought life.
As E.W. Kenyon wrote decades ago, “We sit in the presence of the tremendous realities of His combat against the hosts of darkness during His Substitution, of His mighty victory over the hosts of darkness, of His breaking the bonds of Death conquering the enemy … Satan knows he is defeated. All heaven knows he is defeated. And yet the Church looks upon him as a Master” (In His Presence (1944), page 66, introduction to Chapter 6 “The Integrity of the Word”). He also wrote many times that “man’s basic spiritual problem is the integrity of God’s Word.” Can we rely upon it? I say, Absolutely.
The current consumerist spirituality wants us to have new experiences, “breakthrough”, “transformative” experiences. And next month or next year there will be a newer experience, for these shallow experiences do not last long. Who wants to be an ordinary, plain Christian when you can have what’s on offer today? I do!
“What makes you an ordinary Christian, after all? Isn’t the answer faith in Christ? And what power and blessing do ordinary Christians receive, just by this faith? … Surely the answer has to be nothing less the Jesus Christ himself… What we have, if we are nothing but ordinary Christians, is greater than all the experiences in the world. We have Christ himself… everything else is inessential. What would happen to us if we believed that — that Christ alone is what’s really essential in the Christian life?” (Phillip Cary, Good News for Anxious Christians (2010), pages 120-121).
Dear Peter,
I savor each word and paragraph of your new books. I can spend 2 or 3 weeks rereading the same two pages and still get something good out of it each time I read it. Especially, I am referring to ‘God’s Principles And Your Potential” Chapter 7 “The Principle of Position” which states on p.60, “…in Him we are positioned before our Father, in whom ‘we live and move and have our being’ (Acts 17:28). That alone tells me I am in a safe place with a present loving father, and never out of His sight. I am safe and cared for. Then it goes on “for we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:10) which tells me He is still working on me. I’m not finished yet, and He delights taking time with me. Wow! Love, Maxine You may share this.
Thank you for reminding me of the simple things. I can get caught up in my thinking and in the race. Maybe you can comment on the race and the prize of the high calling.
Thanks, Maxine. Great to hear from you.
Peter & Vivien
Thank you brother Peter, I just posted a link on Facebook to your website to share.
Thankyou my brother for your wisdom and understanding of the word in us.The battle is in the mind;which is the heavenly places.Gods riches to you now,and forever. amen.
Amen brother!
When will we see Him as He Is. Oh Father reveal your Son ….in us.
Thank you for this wonderful website
Many preach “breakthrough”. And i think it’s a message that is at best misguided, at worst a very dangerous (but subtle) deception! As taught in this great post the breakthrough, has already been won. The veil is torn and as believers we are already “through”. Rather than seek breakthrough, believers should be taught to grow in knowledge of the Word so we can appropriate what is ours. It’s the salvation of the soul/mind (which comes by the renewing of our minds). It’s abiding in the Word – living in it – where the Word become “en-grafted”. It’s where we enjoy prosperity of soul…. and begin to prosper in all things to the degree our soul prospers 3 John 2.
How true..the magnitude of His supremacy silences all aspiration for more..for apart from him all else fades..
Your words reminded me of a verse that I have grown old into. “Faith is the substance of things unseen…”
Substance: that which has mass and occupies space; an atom is the smallest indivisible unit of matter;the stuff of which an object consists.
the choicest or most essential or most vital part of some idea or experience;
matter, kernel, core, center, essence, gist, heart, heart and soul, inwardness, marrow, meat, nub, pith, sum, nitty-gritty, meaning, means, message, content
What a joy to read truth!
Wonderful! I love it—his work is finished! He made me the way he wanted, and experiences or not, that is the reality of it.