And
do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up
from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first
believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put
aside the deeds of darkness and 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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