Fighting Words

The late pastor, Tim Keller, taught about sin and the source idols in our desire for power, control, approval and comfort. By God’s grace, I am learning that any one of these idols can act as a source in my life at any time if I’m searching for God in the wrong places. As I hear and reflect on God’s Word, I am drawn to repentance through Christ Jesus that leads to actual spiritual nourishment and fruit in His Spirit as my heart finds ultimately what it was made for in Christ alone.

The enemy of God’s people, Satan, is so deceptive and can work in such subtle ways that feed into our selfish ambitions. The idols that we gravitate toward can appear wicked (Balaam) or wholesome (Nicolaitans). But either way, anything is an idol if it steals our focus from the only One that is worthy of worship. In this letter, Jesus commends Antipas for his faithful witness. Could it be that Antipas stood against all idols proclaiming Jesus Christ as the only rightful claimant to the soul of the church? One thing is for certain, the victory over evil is accomplished through the Sword that Jesus wields.

Scripture describes the word of God as sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. In this letter, Jesus says He is coming for His enemies with His sword. He’s on a seek and destroy mission to battle against Satan and for the soul of His church. His SWORD which is His WORD slays all idols as it confronts the reality of our heart before God and what it holds most dear. Our heart is the throne room of worship. There is no place for divided authority there. Anything less than God alone will leave us unsatisfied and always wanting for something more. When Jesus Christ assumes His rightful place on the throne of our lives, we will find the very thing we were created for in communion with Him.

As I read this week, a familiar Gaither hymn rang in my ears about “kings and kingdoms will all pass away – but there’s just something about that name.” Jesus Christ has the power over all to restore our broken heart as His rightful throne room. What a privilege to hear Jesus’ voice as His Word fights against evil and for His people!

May we be His people that proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ while abiding in His Word. Let us repent of idolatry so that we can live free to worship Almighty God. Let us hold fast to His great name and find faith to endure until the end of our earthly lives.  And may we hope in the promises of His gracious covenant with His people – reclaimed to the pleasure of His eternal glory by Jesus!

Grateful and hopeful in Christ,

Jon