If we look around, in our country and around the world, it wouldn’t take us long to realize that there is much war around us. The division in America, the war in Ukraine, the tension in the Middle East, all make for not so much peace. This is the reality of a broken, sinful world.
This can be taken down to a smaller scale. Tensions in the church. Difficulties in the home. Problems in marriage. Parenting struggles. There is a certain war happening.
But the biggest war among them is the spiritual battle. The struggle for souls. Ephesians 6:12 says, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.” We often forget that this world was not meant for us as believers. Our hope does not lie in world peace. Our hope lies in eternal life.
This can become a constant struggle in our own self. Our sins fight for the attention of our soul. Our earthly desires compete against the Lord’s will for our life. Our pleasure-seeking self competes against the marching orders that we have received. We desire to make pleasure instead of making disciples.
It is clear in 2 Corinthians 5:20 that our commission is to be ambassadors of Christ who live out Matthew 28:19; to make disciples as you go. This war within us takes us away from the task at hand. Our spotlight seems to want to shine on ourselves instead of on Jesus. We seek out our own interest instead of the interest of the King!
This week, as you prepare for your d-groups, consider your life purpose. Does it align with the role of an ambassador who represents the King? Are your life’s activities at war with your commission? Do you intentionally organize your life so that you can interact with unbelievers? Spend some time evaluating your life as you ask the Lord to shine the light upon every aspect of it. I trust that He will lead you in the process. Blessings.