Have you ever noticed in video games that more enemies spawn in certain areas? You can defeat a handful that seem relatively easy to defeat but then as you progress the difficulty level increases significantly. In some games, you have maze-like maps to navigate, there will be more enemies in areas where treasure is hidden or a powerup. More resistance means greater rewards, in other words you are doing something right, you are about to reach greater heights and grow stronger in your journey. It is the same way when we are doing as Jesus did and accepting a calling on our lives. Philippians 3:14 declares — “I press toward for the goal of the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” We all have a greater purpose, and although God’s will for our life is to share the Gospel, there is so much more to do beyond testifying of God’s (agape) love. There is work to be done but believing is the work.
James 2:17-18 says — “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. But someone will say, ‘You have faith, and I have works.’ Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” This Scripture has been twisted by many denominations, including but not limited to teachings that salvation requires works such as missions in third world countries or feeding the homeless. Although those things are important, it does not relate to salvation as told by Ephesians 1:13-14 — “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” We are saved not by OUR works but through believing Jesus is the Son of God and that He sacrificed Himself to pay the debt of our sin. We invite the Holy Spirit into our hearts. Having a relationship in Christ is necessary for our salvation. We will desire to do works by our faith as we further our walk.
2 Timothy 1:8-11 reveals from the Apostle Paul that — “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, Nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, to which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.” The term “Gentile” is simply used to describe a non-Jewish person. Jesus was born for the Jewish people, and they rejected His teachings. In fact, even a pagan woman was more accepting of Him as read in Matthew 15:27. They even condemned Him to die and hung Him on a tree.
The Gentiles were grafted in and through His sacrifice He died for all. Not just the Jews, but everyone. It was through this unconditional act of love that we ALL have access to salvation, should we accept it. Paul was on a mission to teach a new Gospel. “The Mystery Gospel” is found throughout the New Testament. I am a Bible Literalist so I believe that the Bible is to be taken literally as possible until it cannot be taken literally but is then taken spiritually and has symbolic meaning such as the parables that Jesus shared. When our Lord and Savior instructs us in Matthew 10:8 to — “Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” He means these words both literally and figuratively. The ONLY way these works can be done is by faith, and believing in the Dunamis power that is the Holy Spirit dwelling in our hearts once invited in.
You can have faith in many things, such as putting your trust in doctors rather than trusting in Jehovah Rapha (The Lord who Heals) or trusting that the only way you will eat is if you bring home a decent paycheck. I will tell you right now, my husband has a full-time job, and I am primarily a stay-at-home mom that occasionally does grocery delivery (God supplies the jobs and provides to the dime). Our bank statements do not make sense to mortal eyes, we have more going out than coming in and that is because of God. He is our provider. True there will be struggles but ultimately God will ALWAYS see you through and even if it does not seem like things will be ok, we are told in 2 Corinthians 5:7 — “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” If we obey God’s word, our eyes are opened to the truth and the truth is that He is Abba, Father. He will never leave us or forsake us, and He wants us to prosper and have perfect peace. He wants us to have this faith like a child and do greater works than He. “Greater” does not mean better than, it is referring to quantity. Look at the population of the earth today, over 7 billion people inhabit this world.
Can you imagine how many more works could be done in the precious name of Jesus if more people had this kind of unshakeable faith and belief in the promises of God? Unfortunately, the enemy is out to thwart the Holy Spirit’s actions through His willing vessels, and it is our responsibility to listen to God’s instructions found in the Bible, such as 1 Peter 5:8 — “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” The devil does not want God’s plans for our lives to come to fruition. He is always looking for a way in. It could be through insecurities, anxieties, loss, etc. He is patient and will jump at the first opportunity so we must always be guarded and girded up with the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:14-20) and we must give him no place to enter any area of our lives. Do not give him the satisfaction when he tests you and understand when he turns up the heat, consider that when you do God’s work, you will be met with opposition. Get yourself cleaned out (sanctification) and get your spiritual flyswatter ready. Satan is the “Lord of the Flies” but when you plead the Blood of Christ, all it takes is one swat.
