"And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life." (NKJV)
This has been an exhausting year for all that has happened, both personally and around the world. While I think that knowing what happens around the world allows us, as Christians, to pray more effectively (if we choose to pray), it also can drain us emotionally. There is so much wrong in the world! It’s overwhelming. It’s even overwhelming trying to figure out how to respond because the tendency of humankind is to categorize events and people: right and wrong, good and bad, black and white. And yet, in most (if not all) situations, there isn’t that kind of definitive line. All of us are sinners. All of us are loved by God Who provided salvation for us. There is no enemy except the power of darkness. "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12 NKJV).
In fact, it’s interesting. Paul teaches, in 1 Timothy, that we are to pray for those in authority over us. "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (2:1-4, NKJV). Paul admonishes believers to pray for those in authority over them, but the reason is truly revealing: because God desires everyone to be saved! We are to pray for the salvation of those who persecute us, for those in authority, for those who are rulers over us.
I have to confess that I don’t pray like this and I should. It’s so much easier to complain, to whine, to discredit, to speak against them than to pray for them. And yet Paul taught that regardless of how evil those around him (or above him) were, he was the chief sinner. It doesn’t matter how evil the leaders of our nation or our bosses or those we believe are in control are. Our own sins are no less evil. And their evil sins cannot send them more into hell; only their unbelief.
It is clear that there are forces and powers moving in the world that are totally beyond our ability to control or even understand. We can even try to escape them through many means . . . moving away, changing jobs, becoming more "self" sufficient, or protesting and rioting. Everything that we do that isn’t outlined in scripture, however, is a sin. And every sin moves us further away from God. We conquer our enemies by praying for them. We fight against evil by living the fruit of the Spirit.
In Ephesians 6, Paul outlines our weapons of spiritual warfare:
"Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints" (Ephesians 6:14-18 NKJV).
Every piece of spiritual armor, save one, is defensive. Protecting our hearts with truth. Protecting our lives with righteousness. Protecting where we walk with the gospel of peace (peace with God). Protecting our minds with salvation. Protecting it all with faith. The only offensive piece of armor is the sword of the Spirit which is scripture itself. And we are to do what with that sword? We are to pray! We are to be watchful that we do pray!
Knowledge won’t help us.
Change of scenery or situation won’t protect us.
Even voting or rioting or protecting won’t make a difference.
Our only recourse is to pray. It is the first and best thing to do, and ultimately, it is the only thing we can do! After prayer, the Spirit will reveal what, if anything, we should do and all that will be within the fruit of the Spirit: "love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (Galatians 5:22-23). The Lord will never ask us to do anything outside of this list of His own dear character traits. These are the things which move us more into the center of His will and which will empower our ministry as we preach the gospel to all those around us.
Paul counted himself as the chief of sinners. He understood that only one sin separates us from God; the rest of our sins are just "stuff" that comes out of that one sin, unbelief. Those around us who are lost in darkness—whether they are those in power or just those living or working near us—have sins that are no greater or no more damning than this one sin of unbelief. And these are also those for whom our dear Lord Jesus died! Rather than becoming lost in the desolation that permeates our nation and our world, we should stand up, strong in the power of the Spirit, and begin to pray like a Church that’s truly saved and truly believes that the Lord Jesus died for all! Let’s become a strong army for the Lord and leave the rest in His care.
© 2014 Robin L. O’Hare. All Rights Reserved.
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