FEELING EMBATTLED? SURE WE ARE!

Gen. James Green

The Prison Writings--2023

If you are determined to press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus, as Paul wrote in Philippians 3:14: "I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." then the fact is you WILL be embattled!

Just what was the Apostle thinking when he penned that verse? Earlier in the chapter Paul warns the Philippians about certain groups of people which would try to mislead them. “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision (mutilation).” --Philippians 3:2 Some versions add, ". . .who say you must be circumcised to be saved." The 'religious' in Paul's day (and in John's and Jesus' day) repeatedly proved to be very real enemies to the cause of Christ. There were then (as well as today) false teachers/preachers/prophets who demanded extra things that are not necessary in our walk and ongoing warfare. These 'dogs' demanded that Gentile believers obey the Jewish law of circumcision in order to be saved.

BEASTS

"If after the manner of men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for tomorrow we die." -I Corinthians 15:32

Did Paul really fight against “beasts” as mentioned in the text above? We know he had to fight the religious 'dogs' of his day. We know that he pressed onto possess perfection, i.e. maturity. Both Paul and we are forced to press past the vicious religious dogs in order to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, calls us. (Philippians 3:14)

In I Cor. 15:32 Paul wrote that he fought with beasts at Ephesus. In his second letter to the Corinthians he again mentions his trials and tribulations: "For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:" -II Corinthians 1:8

We have been there and experienced that! My wife and I could tell you plenty of frightful stories―true stories―of our embattled lives as we took Jesus to all the world. In the 1970s, 80s, and 90s we traveled to many nations bringing the liberating Gospel truth of Aggressive Christianity.

Paul says: "We had the sentence of death in ourselves, that we should not trust ourselves but in God. . ." --v.9 Ah, yes, trust in God. He spared our lives―literally―on many occasions during our missionary travels. In certain translations, Paul says, "And what value was there in fighting wild beasts―those people of Ephesus." -I Corinthians 15:32 One needs to read up on Ephesus. Paul recounts for the Ephesians reading his epistle that "You once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air (spirit), the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience." -Ephesians 2:2 Then Paul points out that all unsaved "were by nature children of wrath." -v. 3 In chapter 6, verse 12, he makes mention of the Christians WAR against the BIG 4. I have written many articles dealing specifically with this subject.

CALM AND CHAOS – WORN AND TORN

Our days can be a mixture of calm and chaos. We can get up early and feel great peace and calm. Yet as the day unfolds we soon encounter disturbances and negative attacks of all kinds. The war starts raging again. We live in a time when the forces of Hell are raging, not just against the Christians, but throughout the world all around us. Americans are beginning to feel the pangs of being embattled. Both church and state are facing the battle.

Many who once lived “the good life” are now facing plenty of opposition on multiple fronts. We are not alone if we feel battle weary and war torn. More importantly, as God's people we must continue to stand up to the enemy and stand adamantly for God's righteousness at all costs. Too many have capitulated, leaving the field of battle where they were fighting for the Kingdom of God's sake only to find NO rest for their souls in doing so. The peace compact they made with the enemy has not brought them peace but unrest, turmoil, and guilt instead.

REDEFINING THE BATTLE

The religious of today and those of the last several decades have redefined the battle. They are fighting for something new―getting wealthy, living the “good life,” and being popular are the goals of the new warfare. Too many Christians have given up on fighting the “good fight of faith.” (See 1 Timothy 1:18, 6:12; 2 Timothy 2:3-4; 2 Corinthians 10:3-6; Ephesians 6:10-18)

How many Christians now fight like Hell in order to please self―the very self which the Word of God tells us we must put to death (spiritually)? Paul said, “I die daily.” He was determined to keep his flesh (carnal nature) from ruling his life, letting Christ rule instead. 2 Corinthians 10:4 tells us to pull down strongholds in our minds, casting down (carnal) imaginations and high things, in order to bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. Not today! The church is just as dirty as the world.

AT WAR?

Yes! But tragically today's contemporary Church is at war against God and His Word. For the most part the Church has sided with the world, the flesh, and the devil. There is a war underway between opposing perceptions, ideals, and doctrine: religious men vs. Biblical Christianity. The truth is religious "churchianity" has gained prominence over the years, and this high ground was won at a terrible price―a great falling away from God.

Paul on the other hand, being very religious, started out battling against Christ and Christians. Then over time, and the miraculous intervention of God, became a devoted disciple of Christ and a champion who fought radically for the people of God, dying as a martyr in the end. How few of these kinds of examples do we see today? Paul taught that we are to “put on the new man” (Eph. 4:24), “. . . .put on your new nature, created to be like God―truly righteous and holy.” So why has the Church ignored this command and settled for putting a religious costume on the old man/old nature instead?

DARK PROGNOSIS

Judgment is coming to the church, for the church has it coming! The truth is that the more we fight against God and His standards, morals, ethics, requirements, the more light we lose. You're fighting a losing battle dear backslidders. Divine love for the Lord is fading away―just as when the sun (Son) goes down the darkness floods in.

We live in the Lord's universe, not ours. He made the rules for humankind to live by. He wants us to live under divine love's perfect control. We must admit that living under the mad and demonic governments of man is suicide. Our nation needs healing―the world needs healing. This will never happen as long as the world's people refuse God's healing power. As long as people REBEL like HELL against God's way their lives will be embattled and oppressed by all that Jesus died to deliver them from. There will be no rest for the weary. How dreary!

--Gen. Jim Green

HAVE YOU BEEN SAVED? JESUS IS REAL!! PRAY LIKE THIS.

Dear Jesus, I come to you with all the sins I've committed and I beg you to forgive me. Rescue me from eternal damnation in Hellfire. I confess that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. Don't let me die in my sins. Please cleanse my body, soul and spirit with your precious blood. I need your help and I ask you to come and live in my heart. I want to serve you, obey your commands and do what is right. I want to live for you everyday and receive everlasting life. Please lead and guide me by your Spirit into righteousness. Help me live a clean and holy life that is pleasing unto God. Thank you Jesus for hearing and answering my prayer. Amen! Read the BIBLE!