The Professional Christian - Part 1

Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.”

Here is another practical Christian message from my dear friend and brother Michael. He writes:
Ephesians 6 is about the spiritual warfare: for we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities and might and dominion, against spiritual wickedness from on high – vs. 12. Therefore, be strong in The Lord and the power of his might – vs. 10. Only in Him, we live and move and have our being.  Only by putting on the full armor of God can we stand against the schemes of the devil.  Only by taking up the shield of faith, having our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, putting on the breastplate of righteousness, having our loins girt about with Truth, and taking the sword of the spirit which is the Word of Truth, can we withstand in the evil day and having done all, to stand. Our strength, our defense, and offense is only in Him and the power of his might. Deceit, deception, lies, slander and accusation are the spiritual weapons of the adversary.  The carnal nature of fallen man is defenseless against such deadly weapons.  However, as sons of God, we can either believe the devil's lies or the Truth of the Word of God.  Only by putting on the full armor of God can men of God stand against the wiles of the devil in this, the evil day.  Only by taking the shield of believing can we quench the devil's flaming arrows of accusation and deception. 

In 2 Timothy 2, the prayer is that men of God may escape the snares of the devil who holds them captive against their own wills.  The devil captures men by laying a trap and then ensnaring them when they take their eyes off of the prize of the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.  When men are distracted, they fall into the devil's snare.  Opening the door to the devil is through the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, the pride of life, and the deceitfulness of riches.  When the Communists took over Russia, they first had to convince the people that anything is permissible as long as it accomplishes the purposes of Communism.  If done for the "good of the society in the name of equality" then the action is justified...  The lie is that the means always justifies the end.  The world rationalizes the actions sanctioned by the wisdom of this world...  I didn't mean to do it, the devil made me do it.  Most men can resist anything but temptation. But that seems more amateur than professional. The devil says, "heaven's just a sin away."  He shows the bait, but hides the hook.  He shows you the luscious fruit but hides the worms and the stench of the rotten poison inside. Contrary to popular opinion, the devil is alive and well on planet earth. The thief cometh not but for to steal and to kill, and to destroy – John 10:10.  The devil catches men in his snare to the point that they have lost all hope.  However, our hope is in Him alone.  Jesus said "I am come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly." Resisting the wiles of the devil is only through the power of God through Jesus Christ.  The battlefield is in the mind.  Our strength rests in Him through the power of the Holy Spirit.  Only when we die to self, can we live in him, through him, and for him.  
So what is a professional Christian? Let find out tomorrow, as Michael finishes his thoughts on the subject.

In Christ, Brian