JOHN 16:33 – I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

THEME OF THE DAY. IT’S A DANGEROUS WORLD. We live in a very dangerous world. One must be completely detached from reality to deny this place we live in is not safe. Now, before we go off and start going through our minds about all the dangers in our world, let’s pause. I am not referring to the dangers in the seen world but the world of reality – the unseen. The Apostle Paul wrote, “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16-18).

Friends, the real world where our greatest danger exists is in the unseen spiritual realm. Again, we hear from the Apostle Paul, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:10-12). With this backdrop, let’s consider two things Christians must strive for each day if we are going to get through this dangerous world as spiritual victors, not spiritual casualties.

First, Christians must always remember this world was never intended to be our place of comfort, rest, ease, and satisfaction. It is a place of spiritual conflict – constantly. Yes, God, in His great grace, gives us things to richly enjoy (1 Timothy 6:17). However, He never intended for His children to be so fixed on the pleasures of this life that they neglect Him, the true pleasure in this life and eternity. And this is easy to do. Think about a situation, maybe even a Lord’s Day, when we had discretionary time to do what we wanted to do. Did our first thought and desire go to the Lord and His things or to earthly pleasures and enjoyment? There is nothing wrong with healthy entertainment and recreation, but they must never take priorities over delighting ourselves in the things of the Lord and especially on His Day of the week. Don’t let the world and our flesh draw us to habitually miss the Lord’s Day or neglect His Word, prayer and fellowship with His people by choosing worldliness over spiritual faithfulness. If we do, we will find ourselves seeking satisfaction and contentment in this passing world, not His eternal Word. And we will forget the spiritual danger in this world leading to being spiritual casualties in this world.

Next, Christians must remind themselves this is not our home. We are living in a foreign land, even enemy territory, temporarily under the control of “the god of this world” – the devil (2 Corinthians 4:4). We know God is ultimately in control and that includes the devil, but in His wise counsel and decrees, He is allowing a temporary control of this world by Satan. Christians, we cannot drop our guard for one second. We are not out of harm’s way. We are not home in the safety of heaven. We are in a battle of tremendous force. To ignore, neglect, or be passive in the battle always brings severe spiritual consequences. The landscape is scattered with many people who professed to be Christians, appeared to be running the race well, and gave testimonies of God’s grace, but now are spiritual casualties. Some even denying the faith or drifted into sin and worldliness, having no desire and no commitment to the Lord Jesus and His church.

As we live in this dangerous world, we begin the process of arming ourselves against it by remembering who we are . . . pilgrims journeying home; aliens in a foreign land (Hebrews 11:13-16).

PRAYER: “Father, help me to see I live in a dangerous world and then rely upon Your grace to see me through.”

QUOTE: “Christians are to do two things in this world; remember we are in enemy territory and we are not home”