My dear sheep,
Paul says, "We are not ignorant of [satan's] designs." (2 Corinthians 2:11) Yet it would be fair to say that we might be accused of being so and thus are often outwitted by him. Peter says, "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith..." (1 Peter 5:8-9)
In the Christian life, we must understand that we are in a war. With this in mind, I would like to share with you a powerful quote from John Calvin's 'Institutes' I read recently.
May his words inspire us to wage the war that we are involved in!
Pastor Logan
John Calvin, "Being forewarned of the constant presence of an enemy the most daring, the most powerful, the most crafty, the most indefatigable, the most completely equipped with all the engines, and the most expert in the science of war, let us not allow ourselves to be overtaken by sloth or cowardice, but, on the contrary, with minds aroused and ever on the alert, let us stand ready to resist; and, knowing that this warfare is terminated only by death, let us study to persevere...If the glory of God is dear to us, as it ought to be, we ought to struggle with all our might against him who aims at the extinction of that glory. If we are animated with proper zeal to maintain the kingdom of Christ, we must wage irreconcilable war with him who conspires its ruin. Again, if we have any anxiety about our own salvation, we ought to make no peace nor truce with him who is continually laying schemes for its destruction. " (Institutes of the Christian Religion, 151-152)
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