A False Sense of Security is Not!

This excerpt is taken from the book At Dawn We Slept by Gordon Prange. It was written on Sept. 6, 1941 by journalist Clarke Beach.

“A Japanese attack on Hawaii is regarded as the most unlikely thing in the world, with one chance in a million of being successful. Besides having more powerful defenses than any other post under the American Flag, it is protected by distance...”

As you can see, a false sense of security can provide a short-term sense of assurance, but can prove quite devastating in the long run. Over 2000 years ago, Jesus sacrificed himself for us so that we could have a chance at eternal life through salvation. This unselfish act was out of pure love for us, His creation. We could never repay what He did on our behalf.

Yet, there are many today who reject Christ & Christianity due to a false sense of security! They walk around thinking that there is nothing more that needs to be done on their part. Jesus did the work, now we can all just sit back and relax. But, nothing could be further from the truth!

Unlike the above illustration, we know we have an enemy who wants to destroy us! (1 Peter 5:8). Allow me to add here that our struggle is not against an enemy of flesh and blood. Even so, this enemy prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:9) urges us to steadfastly resist him, but how? (Ephesians 6:10-17) gives us a clue.

The Christian’s strength comes from Christ (Ephesians 6:10; Philippians 4:13; Romans 8:37) through faith and obedience to Him. Now you might be thinking, “What do I need the strength to overcome?” Perhaps a list might help answer this question. We need Christ’s strength to help us overcome:

Sin and temptations (1 Peter 2:24; Hebrews 4:14-16).
Trials of life (Romans 8:35-39).
Tribulation ("pressed down," affliction) – External pressures.
Distress (narrowness of place; anxiety) – Internal stress.
Persecution (put to flight) - Threats, etc.
Famine, nakedness, peril (dangers), sword (death threats).

Christ will never force Himself on us even though He knows all of our weaknesses. We must be humble enough to accept his strength! (2 Corinthians 12:7-10). You see, it’s our own pride that can give us a false sense of security and keep us from receiving the strength that only Jesus can provide.

We must rely upon His strength for our spiritual well-being (Ephesians 6:11-12) because our adversary (enemy) is the Devil (1 Peter 5:8; 2 Corinthians 2:11). Our battleground is in the spiritual realm (2 Corinthians. 10:3-4), and the battle ground is over our souls; with the effects seen in how we live in the flesh! (Romans 6:12-14).

You must be able to withstand when trials come (Ephesians 6:13).Therefore, one must be strong in the Lord by putting on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-17). When worn, God's armor will protect us and assure our victory in Christ!

Prayer:

The Lord is my strength and my shield. My heart has trusted in Him and I am helped. He is not only with me but in me, and I in Him. Amen

Have a blessed day,

Sheila