Pastor’s Pen
Pulpit Series: Spiritual
Warfare
October 3, 2004
THE BELIEVERS’ NEW ENVIRONMENT
In our continuing study in spiritual warfare we come today to see the believers’ new environment. The believer has been called out of this world system and into a new spiritual milieu (John 15:19). Christians are identified with the Christ who has chosen us out of this world (John 17:14,16).
The phrase “out of this world” indicates “out of” or “out from within.” This expresses the source of existence. Believers are no longer from that atmosphere. Ephesians 2:1-5 explains how we came to be liberated from our old environment. It is more than just taking sides with Jesus. Behind the scenes there is a spiritual union with the risen Savior.
The believer is in a new kingdom sphere - the Kingdom of Light (Acts 26:18; I Peter 2:9; Ephesians 5:8; Colossians 1:12; I Thessalonians. 5:5). Moving from darkness into spiritual light is like emerging from the darkness of a cave into sunlight. It is like moving from:
Gloom to Gladness and joy
Confusion to Enlightenment and understanding
Hatred to Love
Ignorance to Spiritual knowledge
Blindness to Sight
The
believer is now in the Kingdom of the Son of His Love (Col. 1:13). The believer has been uprooted from the soil
of the system and transplanted into the soil of a new kingdom.
The believer has a new King Leader (Acts 26:18; Colossians 1:13).
The believer is energized by a new Spirit. While we formerly walked “according to the course of this world” (Ephesians 2:2), the Holy Spirit within us now:
Eph 1:13,14; 4:30 Seals
us in Jesus Christ – we cannot escape!
Ephesians 2:18 Promotes access to God
Ephesians 3:16 Strengthens the inner man of the heart
Ephesians 4:2, 4 Has
created a unity
Ephesians 5:18 Fills and controls
Ephesians 6:17 Supplies a sword
Ephesians 6:18 Produces prayer.
The
believer has a new citizenship (John 5:19; 17:14; Philippians 3:20).
We have been called out of this world. We no longer have roots in this system. We do not inhale and exhale its environment.
The believer has a new system of priorities and value (Ephesians 2:1-3, Colossians 3:1-3). The believer’s life style, desires, goals and devotions have all been reversed.
This new environment is eternal which is in marked contrast to the present world which is passing away
It doesn’t matter how much we have achieved in this world in religion, fame or prestige. This is of no consideration to God, It is what we have done with the Lord Jesus Christ that counts. So lets enjoy our new environment!
God bless.
In Christ’s Love,