The Prevailing

There is no need to detail the times we live in.  Ever since the fall of Lucifer, better known as Satan, from heaven and then the fall of Adam and Eve in the Garden it has been a time of evil.  Mankind was almost wiped out in Noah’s day.  Everything in the world was destroyed except for Noah and his family and the animals in the ark.  People were so wicked yet they knew the truth.  The book of Romans says the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness.  Even the staunchest atheist knows deep down there is a God.  The Almighty God doesn’t go away just because people don’t believe in him.  No matter how the devil seems to prevail, there is a more complete prevailing than the devil.  Can victory be found?  The devil is big but he is no match for God.

Just last week there was a shooting in a church in TN.  So much blame is directed toward us.  Sometimes it means that we’re doing something right for God.  We do have something solid in Jesus Christ.  We must hold it together.  The gates of hell will not prevail against the church.   Don’t be fooled by Satan’s special effects.  He’s not as big as he thinks he is.  Working through gullible people Satan presents a picture that is not real.  God’s people are being heard.  I’m glad to be in a kingdom that is real.

Matthew 16: ¹⁵ He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? ¹⁶ And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

This is a truth that’s being attacked today.  We can’t watch television without the borders of evil being extended.  The world pressures us from music to fashion to follow its standards instead of God’s.  It wants to push the belief that God is a fantasy.  I’m glad I saw the light and realized the truth.  I had friends who asked me not to give them up but I had to go another way, God’s way.  The devil doesn’t have to prevail.

¹⁷ And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. ¹⁸ And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. ¹⁹ And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

I believe Jesus pointed to himself when he said this to Peter and the others letting everyone know upon whom the church would be built.  The powers of darkness almost overcame.  All the different outlets from hell tell us there is no use.  The devil tells us to be a church goer.  Be a religious person.  Do all that but still be part of the kingdom of darkness. But we know the truth.

So many things are now acceptable.  We may see the time it is socially inacceptable to say we’re men or women.  Who would have thought we be hearing things about gender?  Fifteen years ago people would have said no way!  The devil wants us to give up, but God won’t forsake us now.  Jesus built the church on the rock and he is Christ, the Son of the living God.

In John 6 many people walked away from following Jesus.  He asked the disciples if they would leave him too.  Peter said to whom shall we go?  The borders of hell have been growing too much.  It’s time for us to push back.  It’s time for God’s people to say it’s enough.  Claim the truth of Jesus Christ and follow him.  God will push the gates of hell back from us.  Put the devil on the outside.  Pray.  Stand on the solid rock.  It’s not about holding signs in D.C.  Where it counts is every one of us doing our best for God each day.  Stand against the devil and sin by how you live and follow Jesus.  It may cost you friends or success but choose right over wrong and God will bless.  The devil has to retreat when God’s people stand up for their Savior.

I can see Peter jumping up and putting his finger toward Jesus and saying “thou art the Christ!”  He didn’t point to other things.  We can live without thing.  Point to Jesus and say he is the Christ.  The gates of hell pull back as you push your faith.  It may just pull the devil back enough for people to say Jesus is real and see you are a Christian.  We carry the truth.  Let’s do the pushing for a change.