IN GOOD FAITH: Christian Freedom, Pt. 3

By PASTOR MARK MOLINA
Living Waters Church

Pastor Mark Molina

In this Nation, we understand that our freedom was obtained through warfare. We understand and accept that if there had not been a military stand against Great Britain, this nation would never have been birthed. In the last dozen years, we have accepted the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan as necessary to maintain our freedoms here in this Nation and abroad. It has been called “The War on Terror.”

Do you know there was another war long ago that was absolutely necessary for our freedom? Did you know that there was someone who loved you so much that they were willing to lay down their life for you just as American military service members are doing right now for this Nation? Someone else, through His sacrifice, through His great love for you, paid the price of His life for your freedom. It was an intentional, deliberate, well-planned and executed warfare for the souls of men.

“He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.” I John 3:8 NKJV

Jesus Christ, the Son of Almighty God, came with the eternal mission of destroying the works of the devil. This word “destroying” comes from the Greek word “lyo,” which is a primary verb that means to loosen (literally and figuratively); break(up), destroy, dissolve, loose, unloose, melt, put off. Just as this nation has confronted its enemies here at home and abroad, so also the Son of God, Jesus Christ, came to directly destroy the enemy of our souls so that we might be free.

Warfare was required to establish our freedom as a nation and warfare was required to establish our freedom as Christians. Just as warfare has been required to maintain, the freedom of this country, there is a warfare required to maintain our freedom as Christians. If we can accept our responsibility to wage war in the natural to maintain our physical freedom, then why cannot we accept our responsibility to wage war in the supernatural to maintain our Christian freedoms?

“For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.” II Corinthians 10:3-6 NKJV

In these verses, we see that as Christians we have access to weapons of warfare. God himself provides these weapons to us. They are supernaturally inspired and designed for us to bring every area of our lives into captivity to the obedience in Christ. There are requirements for us as Christians to live in the fullness of spiritual freedom. Just as military service members must learn to submit to and surrender themselves to what is called a “military mindset,” we also must learn to submit and surrender ourselves to a “biblical mindset.”

“This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare.” I Timothy 1:18 NKJV

Here the Apostle Paul was reminding Timothy of his responsibilities to “wage the good warfare.” It is our Christian responsibility and charge that we be engaged in making a good warfare. Why then are we living as pacifists? Is it because we have not understood this concept of spiritual warfare?

Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. His life’s purpose was intentional and deliberate. He never disregarded the need to confront the evil of the day. Had he done otherwise, we would not have the capacity to have spiritual freedom today. As Christians let us return to this “biblical mindset.” Let us return to the duty of waging spiritual warfare. Let us, in the authority of Jesus Name, destroy the works of the devil so that we can live in true spiritual freedom.

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