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July 2016

WE NEED ANOTHER REVOLUTION

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“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 6:12)

“We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19)

On Monday, the Fourth of July, we celebrated the 240th anniversary of the official beginning of the American Revolution. We call this Independence Day, but we did not achieve independence from the oppressions of the British crown on July 4. We declared our independence and initiated a revolution that would ultimately win that independence. Without a revolution defined by forceful commitment, courage, unity and sacrifice, our “land of the free” would not exist.
Today we are desperately in need of another revolution so this nation can be liberated from grave oppressions that are leading us all into destruction. As in 1776, our oppressors are rulers, but they are not men or women. They are neither the political establishment nor those seeking to become the new political establishment.
The “crowns” that are the true source of our oppression today are rulers of darkness under the lordship of Satan, the evil one.
Our candidate options in this election year are the worst I have ever seen, but even if they were better, they would be insufficient. Our solutions cannot be political because our root problems are not political. They are spiritual and moral – the result of a culture that has become more and more subjugated to these rulers of darkness. Our political situation is a symptom of this subjugation, not the cause. We need a revolution.
Our revolution is for the nation, but it must begin in the Church. As Christians, we are the only people who have the power to defeat this enemy. (Matthew 16:18-19) Yet, tragically, much of the Church has come under the same subjugations experienced by non-believers. It is time for the Body of Christ to break free so we can lead others to freedom! (Romans 8:19-21)
First, it is time to revolt against the rule of “mammon” – the love of wealth. (Matthew 6:24; 1 Timothy 6:10) Materialism has become the defining characteristic of our country. This leads to greed and covetousness, which motivate both those who have but always want more, and those who don’t have and want without effort what others have obtained.
Because we cannot wait to have things when we can afford them, we are also immersed in government and consumer debt we have no feasible way of repaying. All of this is causing ever-increasing socio-economic tension that will someday erupt into violence.
Second, it is time to revolt against the powers of “religiosity”, that is, religious practices that are devoid of a loving personal relationship with God.
Paul called this having a “form of godliness but denying its power”. (2 Timothy 3:5 NKJ) Many people today are satisfied with professing faith, attending services and performing liturgical practices without seeking to draw near to God or serve Him in any meaningful way.
Religiosity was also the sin of the scribes and Pharisees confronted by Jesus. (Matthew 23:13-39) Yet some denominational and congregational leaders continue to control, contain or appease their people rather than empowering the personal relationship and divine calling each Christian is to have with the Lord.