Having Done All, Stand

Having Done All, Stand
By Rev. Lonnie C. Crowe

Now, more than ever, we must stand for truth. We must not back away from righteousness.  We must be firm in our defense of the things of God and our constitutional right to worship Him. In His Word, our Father has given us strategy for standing.  I feel such a burden to share three particular scriptures.
1.  Ephesians 6:11-18 (NKJV) 
“11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 
14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 
15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 
16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 
18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints-- “

We do not struggle against flesh and blood. We struggle against spiritual forces of evil.  As we stand, we must stand in truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and the Word of God. No matter what political forces are in play, what the Word says is right is right, and what the Word says is sin is sin.  

2.  Ephesians 4:29-31 (NKJV) 
“29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 
31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.”

We must guard against sinking to the level of our adversaries.  We must speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) without resorting to harsh words and name-calling. We can be forceful, even aggressive, without being hostile.  

3.1 Peter 3:15 (NKJV) 15  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” “Meekness” is self-control and “fear” is  reverence for God.
We need to know what we believe and why.  Basically, God has defined some behaviors as sinful because those behaviors keep us from experiencing the best that He has for us.  When we condone those behaviors, we condemn those caught in those behaviors to lives that lack the abundance of love, joy, and peace that God has in store for those who love Him.

When we are faithful to Him, God will bless us in spite of our circumstances, in spite of the decisions that others make, in spite of the enemy who seeks to destroy us.  Remember Joseph and Daniel, who, because of their faithfulness to God, became powerful leaders in Egypt and in Babylon.  Remember that Paul wrote many of his epistles during imprisonment.  

Remember, also, greater is He who is within you than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4).

Keep standing in faith.  Keep praising and worshiping. Jesus is King.