Friday, September 18, 2015
Ephesians 6:10, 16 Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power ... For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
RESISTANCE ISN'T FUTILE (IN THE POWER OF CHRIST)
Remember the science fiction program "Star Trek, the Next Generation" that was on TV years ago? In this show there was an alien life form which the crew of the Enterprise encountered in their space travels: The Borg. They were a particularly dreadful enemy because if you were unlucky enough to come in range of their ship, they'd use a tractor beam to pull in your ship and take over everyone on board. A sinister message would then be broadcast over your ship's PA system: “Resistance is futile! Prepare to be assimilated!" (In other words: Might as well resign yourself to becoming one of us! Don't even try to fight us! We're too strong for you!).
The Borg were only make-believe creatures created by Hollywood. We've got real-life villains against which we must contend, enemies trying to suck us into their destructive works and ways, and to make us "one of them." The post-modern society in which we live seeks to influence us into adopting their short-sighted perspective on life and their morally bankrupt views, and to rob us of our Christian faith.
Resistance against these foes would be futile were it not for the strength the Lord supplies to us in His Word. As we take advantage of the opportunities He provides for charging up our spiritual "force field" through faithful hearing and learning His Word, we are made invincible. The Lord enables us to say in triumphant faith:
If God had not been on our side And had not come to aid us,
The foes with all their power and pride Would surely have dismayed us;
For we, His flock, would have to fear The threat of men both far and near
Who rise in might against us.
Blest be the Lord, who foiled their threat That they could not devour us;
Our souls, like birds, escaped their net,They could not overpower us.
The snare is broken-we are free! Our help is ever, Lord, in Thee,
Who madest earth and heaven.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 267:1, 3)
