I want to dedicate this post to my friends.  It is actually inspired by my friend Bob.  Bob’s motivation is to be light and love in order to promote peace. 

John 16:33  “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” (NASB1995)

We all, who are in Christ, yearn for peace, but only in Christ do we have the right to claim it.  The world is not at peace. And only in Him can the world have this hope.  “You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.”  This was stated by Jesus to believers.  His was a promise to us:

John 8:31  So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, [then] you are truly disciples of Mine;  32  and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” (NASB1995)

We can’t just focus on one truth. Not even will the truth that Jesus is the Son of God lead us into all truth.  Jesus said: that we must continue in His word. Think on that.  If we love the knowledge of philosophy then we study the philosopher’s writings. We may even focus on one philosophy over another.  If we do that we likely will read all of the writings surrounding this Philosophy.  Jesus says if you are truly my disciples then you will continue in my word.  

At the time Jesus said this; His word was only the Old Testament.  Yet, it was said of Him that He is “The Word” by the Apostle John.   Jesus had told all of His Disciples, that they should disciple others by telling to them “all” that they had been told by Him.  Thus we have the gospels and the Epistles.  Even Paul tells us that he had gotten this same gospel, as approved by James and Peter directly from Jesus.  This was his claim proving that he was an Apostle. 

So Jesus Word would tell us that we are to arm ourselves for the spiritual battle brought through the Tribulations of this world.  Our Armor would include the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.  “Continue in my word” Jesus says.  

In this world you will have tribulation.  The evils of this world are inspired by principalities and powers.  In order to expose these we must expose the evil that they have chosen to represent, and then, even those, who may be our enemies, for whom we are to pray and love, can possibly know to choose to flee from the evil and choose life in Jesus. 

If we are to make the Jews, who are yet today enemies of God, jealous; then why not other enemies of this same Jesus?   But also know this it is also our calling to pray for our government leaders to protect us from the evil that does abound in this world.  We are to support only men and women in government who oppose evil. 

And I, if I am going to pray for something, will also take other actions that will support that or those prayers.  

Understand that even God’s angels do battle with Satan and his angels. Why then should we not do the same?  Our weapon is the sword of the Spirit, which we are told is the Word.  The enemies of Jesus are being led by principalities to stamp out this weapon.  We must stand and pray against these powers who are manifesting over us.  We know who they are by their works, just as they know who we are by our works. And our main work is to spread His word to others, for only then can our enemies know the truth that will set them free.