Knowing the time, that now it
is high time to awake out of sleep… let us therefore cast off the works of
darkness, and let us put on the armor of light. Romans 13:11, 12
Some
day the Church can relax her guard, call her watchmen down from the wall and
live in safety and peace—but not yet, not yet!
All
that is good in the world stands as a target for all that is evil and manages
to stay alive only by constant watchfulness and the providential protection of
Almighty God.
The
Church lives in a hostile world. Within and around her are enemies that not
only could destroy her, but are meant to and will unless she resists force with
yet greater force. The Christian would collapse from sheer external pressure
were there not within him a counterpressure sufficiently great to prevent it.
The power of the Holy Spirit is, therefore, not optional but necessary. Without
it the children of God simply cannot live the life of heaven on earth. The
hindrances are too many and too effective!
A
church is a living organism and is subject to attack from such enemies as prey
on living things. The human body can fight its enemies even while it is asleep,
but the Church cannot. She must be awake and determined—or she cannot win.
She
must recognize her enemies for what they are and she must resist them:
Unbelief, Complacency, Self-righteousness, Fear of Man, Love of Luxury, Secret
Sympathy with the world, Self-confidence, Pride and Unholy thoughts. These we
must resist with every power within us, looking unto Jesus, author and finisher
of our faith!
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