Do you have an enemies list? Being the kind of person you are, you'll probably say, "no," but there are a few people...
"We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."(Ephesians 6:12) On the basis of that passage, Dr. John Kleinig says that the Christian church does not have human enemies. A retired professor of theology from Australia, Kleinig's point is worth remembering in the battles of life. "You," the Christian reminds himself, "are not my enemy. You may be a dupe of the devil but God loves your immortal soul. My task is to be used by God, by truth and righteousness, by the Gospel of peace and faith to win you over. Win you over, not to me but to God. And I might learn from our dispute as well." "We wrestle not against flesh and blood."
Martin Luther was a battler and some of the things he wrote against his "enemies" make polite people blush. Today is the 495th anniversary of Luther posting his 95 theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, Germany, the public beginning of the Reformation. Luther wrote about the real enemy in his hymn, "A Mighty Fortress." "Though devils all the world should fill, all eager to devour us. We tremble not, we fear no ill; they shall not overpower us. This world's prince may still scowl fierce as he will. He can harm us none. He's judged, the deed is done. One little word can fell him."
Dr. Kleinig said he wondered for many years what that "one little word" is. His studies led him to the answer: the name Jesus. Go with Him into your day.
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