Together in Christ: 'Realizing We Are at War' — Ephesians 6:10-12

Not all relationships are a blessing! As we follow Christ, evil spiritual forces oppose us. These evil forces hate God and want to see all people enslaved to death and destruction rather than live in a world of God's goodness toward His human creations. ^[1] We need a close relationship with God and supportive relationships with fellow Christians to help us stand against Satan and his demonic hordes. Paul identifies these evil forces as principalities, evil rulers, and mighty powers of the dark world — what we call evil spirits and demons. ^[2] To deny the presence of these powers is to choose to be naive about the evil in our world and blind to the reality of how Satan's corruption has broken much of creation. ^[3] But the world and the evil one who dominates it are destined for destruction. ^[4] God has a new heaven and a new earth planned for us, the fully realized Kingdom of God where righteousness and love abide, the eternal home for God's children who are faithful to Him. ^[5]

As Jesus' followers, we must be confident yet prepared for battle. We do not need to be afraid. Our victory is assured because of Jesus' death and the defeat of hell through His faithfulness to the Father and His resurrection from the dead with power as God's Son. ^[6] The One within us is more powerful and greater than these evil minions of hell alive in the world and allied against us. ^[7] So, let's pay attention to the armor we are given for the battle ^[8] and keep our hearts focused on Jesus. He is returning for us in God's glory, a glory in which we will share! ^[9]