You Matter.
As small as you may feel in this world, as invisible or unseen, everything you say or do, matters.
You are not a mistake. An accident. You have not been forgotten. God planned and ordained your purpose and position, even before you were born. (Ephesians 1:11)
And although it may feel like we are just shells of people, walking, zombie-like through the mundane of this life…
There is more that He has called us to. The power of His Spirit dwells in you. The gates of hell will not prevail against the church because of His indwelling Spirit in you.
I drove through the desert last week. Flat, barren land, few things existing. Tumble weeds and burnt green, from the fires we smelled last summer.
The land had been scorched, the earth seemed void. The only thing existing seemed my lonely vehicle, passing through, an open sky of colors, canopying overhead.
I felt small in that desert. Useless in that terrain. Sad, knowing nothing was growing in a place that seemed vast and expansive, glorious and untainted.
And yet, I see the earth like that desert. Fire is consuming what may already seem waisted. Earth is groaning and even non-believers are seeing it.
And yet, what holds back darkness? What keeps the fire of the night from destroying you and me?
Haven’t we all been seeing it? Triggered people?
People calm one moment, then explosive the next? Lives and relationships ending? People lighting themselves on fire for amusement or entertainment?
When in reality, a force was birthed in us to hold back darkness.
A light remains bright in us, that penetrates the insanity of a world crumbling at our knees.
Thessalonians 2:6-7 says:
“For the mystery of lawlessness [rebellion against divine authority and the coming reign of lawlessness] is already at work; [but it is restrained] only until he who now restrains it is taken out of the way.”
I heard this in a sermon on my way through the desert; and had to ask…
Who is the Restrainer?
The pastors answer was: THE CHURCH
The church? You mean the same institution seemingly crumbling at the seams? The same organization Millennials are fleeing, in every direction?
Did this pastor mean, the same establishment, scandals are the new pandemic in; waywardness, lawlessness and lukewarm mediocrity has lulled people complacently to sleep in?
I had to dig further.
Thessalonians 2 talks about the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Then, verse 3 tells us, apostasy will come first [that is, the great rebellion, the abandonment of the faith by professed Christians].
Aren’t we already seeing that? Churches compromising and collapsing? Pastors morally failing, when we need them most?
With apostasy, the man of lawlessness will be revealed (vs. 3). He will oppose and exalt himself above everything, proudly, arrogantly. (vs. 4) And he will take his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming he is god. (vs. 5)
Matthew 24:12 tells us, “Because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold.”
And isn’t lawlessness increasing in our day? Haven’t we seen this, on t.v.? In the news?
Yet, just like the fire that burned in the desert, a vehicle drives forward, despite all the darkness. That vehicle? God’s people, His remnant. The church!
And we wonder why darkness is after the church?
Why so many are falling away? Why the foundation of every establishment professing Christ is being shaken and tested, exposed, and clearly separated; like wheat and chaff?
Didn’t Scripture say, the sifting will begin in the church?
As we stand on the truth, His Spirit in His people, is the restraining force holding back darkness.
The restrainer isn’t us carnally, or some man-made building.
The restrainer is His Spirit alive and collectively within us, moving in power and faith, authentically forward, toward the
goal of spreading the gospel.
It is rising! His Spirit is rising within us!
Friends, it time we turn around and face the darkness with the power of His Spirit! Our God is alive and He has the strength and authority to defeat every foe.
The Restrainer is His Spirit strong in us. His Spirit is alive in the local church. His Spirit leads and guides with strength, in a way that holds back darkness, and keeps the evil one at bay.
However sadly, in the last days…
There will be false miracles (vs. 9), unlimited seduction to evil, deception and wickedness. Many did not welcome the love of the truth [of the gospel] so as to be saved [Spiritually blind; they will reject the truth that would have saved them]. (vs. 10)
And don’t be fooled…
One day, The Restrainer, God’s people set ablaze with the power of His Spirit, will be removed. Evil will reign. Darkness will prevail.
And all that will exist will be a barren desert, ablaze with evil and lawlessness.
Yet, “God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through the sanctifying work of the Spirit [that sets you apart for God’s purpose] and by your faith in the truth.” (vs. 13)
You are not an accident. You matter.
He has called you. (vs. 14) So, stand firm and hold tightly to the traditions God’s given you. (vs. 15)
And friends, don’t give up! You and your testimony of God’s redemption that saves you, matters!
Everything has already begun to be set ablaze.
And we can be ablaze with evil, spreading like wildfire; or we can be set a blaze with the power of His Spirit, the Restrainer, holding back darkness and spreading light.
Facing forward, like soldiers of love, smothering darkness.
Your life wasn’t a mistake.
You are endowed with the presence of His Spirit, so rise up friends and proclaim…
Light still shines in the darkness and as Jesus told Peter in Matthew 16:18…
“I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.”
