TEXT TO REFLECT ON
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
EPHESIANS 6:10-12
REFLECT
This passage describes a cosmic battle of the largest proportions. It is a battle by the chiefs – the rulers, the authorities, the cosmic powers of dark forces, spiritual forces in heavenly places. It reads like a sci-fi story. All the powers of hell are being hurled against us. It conjures a picture of hapless humans bombarded by the most powerful weapons in the possession of dark forces invisible to us.
But this is not science fiction. Paul was in this passage giving his readers a glimpse into the grim reality of daily living. A situation of which we are largely clueless. What Paul was trying to convey is that unseen and unnoticed by us, the devil is attacking relentlessly and with all the weapons in his arsenal, our mundane everyday relationships.
Earlier in his letter to the Christians at Ephesus, Paul wrote about the importance of loving each other within the Christian community, and highlighting relationships between husbands and wives, parents and children, masters and slaves. These are very ordinary day-to-day relationships that we often take for granted. Disagreements and quarrels within these relationships are taken as givens, and nothing to concern us. We hardly ever fix anything supernatural, much less cosmic, about such relationships.
Paul however, sees a very different dynamic in these relationships. Instead of mere human interactions, Pauls sees these relationships as the focal point of the war between God and the devil, between light and darkness, good and evil. The ultimate war of the ages centres around how we relate to each other in daily life.
RELATE
It is a very sobering thought that much is at stake behind every mundane human interaction - a conversation, an argument, an encouragement. When I speak a disparaging word to another or against another, I am not merely saying something bad about the other. Rather, something far larger than what I can even imagine is taking place. What I say to another is the focus of a cosmic war between good and evil. When I hurt someone or tear another down, the evil one wins in this cosmic battle. The consequences of my thoughts, words, and actions towards another are not limited to just this worldly sphere. Rather, there are ramifications far beyond what I can see or imagine. Something powerful, whether positive or negative, happens in the heavenly sphere each time I engage with another. And the consequences are eternal.
If we realise how important each of our human engagements with one another is, we will be more deliberate in our thoughts, words, and actions. Each time I say something uplifting to another, the forces of evil are dealt a blow. Conversely, whenever I tear someone down, the forces of evil have scored another victory. How we relate with each other has eternal consequences.
REST
Take my life, and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee;
take my moments and my days,
let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move
at the impulse of thy love;
take my feet, and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee.
Take my voice, and let me sing
always, only, for my King;
take my lips, and let them be
filled with messages from thee.
Take my silver and my gold,
not a mite would I withhold;
take my intellect, and use
every power as thou shalt choose.
Take my will and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine.
take my heart, it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne.
Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure store;
take my self, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee.
Take My Life And Let It Be by Frances Ridley Havergal 1874
Chiu Ming Li
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