It’s true. With one click of your remote to your favorite news station or one flick of your finger through your prefered social media feed, you can easily see the trouble that is happening around the world; specifically the US. Recently, being the controversial issues of gay marriage and racial prejudice. Two extremely sensitive subjects. The racially-motivated murders of nine African-American churchgoers in Charleston has shaken our nation to its core. Fierce indignation fills the hearts of many Americans and people around the world. The passing of the gay-marriage law has caused many to celebrate the long awaited “freedom” to legally participate in same-sex marriage, while others cringe with disappointment, discord, anger, hatred, judgement, and condemnation because of this law. Christians included. But in this trying time, what is the Christ-Centered Christian supposed to do, feel, or be? Today, I won’t wrestle with the task of answering those questions. However, I will propose another, one I believe is just as important. The question is, “What do you really see?” I understand. This question may puzzle you. You may say “Craig, it’s obvious what I see. The world has gone crazy and people are down right evil”. Honestly, over a year ago, I would of said the same thing…..until the lord taught me something different.
At the early stages of my race I heard God distinctively warn me to “recognize the enemy.” That’s all I heard. Nothing else followed. Only those three words. So I searched my bible to match up what I heard to God’s word (very important).
I found this: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12
When we look out into the world with our human eyes we see evil at work in the face of a human being. It is so easy for us to look at people and demonize them, despise them, and reject them (which is not what Christ does). We see the sin in their life and we quickly pass judgement on them, wrapping them with the binding cords of condemnation. We fail to look past the angry young man who pulled that trigger. We fail to look past the gay woman who desires so deeply the touch of another woman. We fail to look past this physical realm and into the deep spiritual realm of darkness in this world.
Look a little closer. Can you see it? Do you recognize the enemy? Are you able to see the rippling effects of the original sin that entered this world long ago? Do you see the true enemy, the great deceiver, the father of lies? (John 8:44)
It is not right for us to foster an unspoken hate for the confused, hardened, and deceived of this world. The truth is we all have sinned and fell short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). We are all infected with the terminal disease of sin. As believers we have all once been confused, hardened, and deceived. We all need a savior. Jesus came not to condemn the world but to save it (John 3:17). He looked past the surface and saw the strongholds and chains that kept us in bondage. He saw the terminal illness that guaranteed death. He saw the sin that separated us from our heavenly father. Jesus saw the enemy!
And this is what he did about it:
..He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. Colossians 2:13-15
With great love and compassion, Jesus the son of God laid down his life for us in order for us to be freed, forgiven, and healed of our sin. Thank you Jesus!
Now, yes I do stand strong on what the bible says. Sin is sin. Wrong is wrong. I do believe God’s word is truth and we are to live by it in every way (2 Timothy 3:16). Nonetheless, I feel that many have lost their sight on the true enemy and Christ’s heart for those under his power. So my friends, let’s recognize the enemy. Let us stand firm on truth, but bend down to reach those who have fell low. Let us love the way Christ does.
Let me pray for you
Jesus I pray that you will touch the heart of the person reading. I pray that you will reveal your love and character to them. Help them to accept your love and in return love you back. I pray that you will give them soft hearts for this generation. Break the strong chains of judgment in their spirit. Search them God and expose any way that is not of you. Help them lord to love like you do. In Jesus name…..Amen
p.s. If your looking to support someone (quickly raises my hand) Im in need of $4200 by July 25th…..thanks for reading 
