Dear Faith Family, 

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might, (Ephesians 6:10). 

“My fellow citizens: let no one doubt that this is a difficult and dangerous effort on which we have set out. No one can foresee precisely what course it will take or what costs or casualties will be incurred. Many months in which both our patience and our will will be tested -- months in which many threats and denunciations will keep us aware of our dangers. But the greatest danger of all would be to do nothing.” 

Do you recognize those words?  Have you heard them before? 

Those words highlight the message of Paul in Ephesians 6.  It is there that Paul reminds us that we are in an ongoing spiritual battle.  Our enemy is ruthless.  His schemes are deceitfully wise.  His attacks often catch us unaware.  His desire is to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). 

The seeds of doubt and distraction are consistently scattered in the soil of our hearts.  How quickly and easily we are drawn away to worship someone (maybe self?) or something other than the living God.  When circumstances begin to stack up against our happiness, a question mark can overwhelm our confidence in the love of God.  It doesn’t take much.  A temptation.  A loss.  Something to fear.  Spotlight on self. 

And one of the greatest dangers is to do nothing.  Nothing, as in failing to recognize each moment that we are in a spiritual battle.  Nothing, as in failing to suit up with our protective armor.  Nothing, as in failing to wield our sword.  Nothing, as in failing to pray without ceasing. 

Can I add another to one of the greatest dangers?  One of my granddaughters is rightly learning her independence at the ripe old age of two.  When help is offered one of her repeated responses is “I got it”.  How great is the danger when we engage the enemy in our own strength.  Prayer?  Don’t need it.  I got it.  The Word of God?  Not necessary.  I got it.  Armor?  Not crucial.  I got it.  An awareness of the battle?  Not essential.  I got it.  The danger is to “got it” in our own strength. 

We are not independent!  We are forever dependent on our God not just for our conversion but for the totality of our salvation including the working out of our salvation in our daily lives.  We are no match for His enemy. 

The opening quote?  I read it recently.  It was delivered at the tipping point of the Cuban Missile Crisis in October of 1962, a crescendo a year and a half after the disaster known as The Bay of Pigs.  Unable to know the future, then President Kennedy addressed the nation.  The challenge?  Don’t do nothing. 

The enemy is great.  Our King is greater.  And because our King is greater: sure up, suit up, sword up, and speak up! 

Not doing nothing, 
Pastor Karl