Quote:
Originally Posted by Aquila
Amen. I'd like to see a revival of spiritual gifs.
That would make sense too.
Here's where I'm coming from on this... and it's not meant as a criticism.
In all honesty... I've yet to see a single person who was truly "righteous". They might live by a code of ethics that they have drawn from the Bible... but they often have nasty attidudes, pride, are hiding personal struggles with sin, etc. In short... we're all pretty much alike... we all have good days and bad days... we all have victories... and we all have days in which we hit our knees and confess our sins. It's just some are more open about their human weaknesses than others.
Now, let's tie all of this into spiritual warfare...
If we approach the enemy in spiritual warfare standing in our own righteousness... we'll be eaten alive. The enemy laughs. While those around us might see us as these highy moral and righteous people... the enemy has often spied on us when we were living below our calling. The enemy will snarl and say, "You have no moral authority to rebuke me or cast me out you snivelling hairless monkey..." However, if through FAITH we embrace the eternally sinless righeousness of Christ Jesus Himself that is imputed to us through the Holy Spirit's presence in our inner man... we have all the authority and power of Jesus Christ Himself... because we are living as extensions of Him and conduits of His power (living as branches of the Vine). Thus in the realm of spiritual warfare the imputed righteousness of Christ absolutely essential. We are not battling the enemy... He who is within us is battling the enemy through us. Therefore... we must stand in all that He is by faith.
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This is true. Nonetheless without a lifestyle of righteousness to back what we believe about Christs work the enemy will cut right through us.
Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 1 John 3:
This is part of the whole armor.