But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.” (2 Thessalonians 3:3)

Living each day for God is often challenged by personal temptations, by people who disappoint us, and by physical trials.  Many opportunities for failure and discouragement are presented to the Christian.

Where can the child of God go for help?  Certainly, one should be able to go to brethren, or friends or family for support.  However, there are times when men fail us, but not God, for He is faithful. Men may disposed to do you wrong but, God will “establish you and guard you from the evil one”. This is the promise of God.

To “establish” is to make stable, to strengthen, to make firm.   In Colossians 2:6,7, Paul commands: “As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith.”  Believers can be established when they come to God’s word and allow it to influence their lives.  It will be manifested by (II Thessalonians 1:3) a growing faith, ( II Thessalonians 1:3) an abounding love, and (II Thessalonians 1:4)an enduring patience.

It is equally reassuring to know that God will faithfully guard us from the evil one.  Jesus commands us to pray:  “And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one.” (Matthew 6:13)  Paul then assures us that God will deliver on our request by providing a way of escape in time of temptation (I Corinthians 10:13).  God, according to Ephesians 6:10-17,  supplies us with the armor necessary to win the battle.  God is faithful!

This is so wonderful to contemplate! What great consolation to the faithful Christian to know that God is always loyal to the “cause” they love.  We have all failed God on several occasions, but He has never failed us!  God wants us to succeed!  He is faithful!

George Slover

For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame—who set their mind on earthly things.”  (Philippians 3:18,19)

The Lords cause was no different in the days of the early church than it is today. It had its elements of false teachers who posed a threat to the security of the saints. Paul wishes for the church at Philippi to know the true character of these individuals.

The object of every false teacher is some kind of personal gain. Thus, they worship their belly rather than God. These “holy hucksters” will pedal their goods to gratify their fleshly appetites. Those who follow them will go down the same path of seeking satisfaction in carnal pleasures that will never satisfy.

Instead of blushing, they are proud of their shameful activity. They turn liberty into license and proudly promote their sensual and carnal ambitions. Self-righteousness, libertine disobedience, and false security are fruits of their doctrine.

The reason for this path is because they focus on earthly things. They promote the philosophy of living for the present - worldly honor, riches, and power. Their ultimate happiness is what they get out of this life, rather than heaven.

Paul is saddened by the destiny of these false teachers. They and their followers are headed toward destruction. When fools mock at sin, true disciples weep because God's word is not exalted, and eternal souls are lost.

These same warnings are needed today. We need to carefully measure the spirit of the churches to the spirit of Christ. To truly convert the world we must be truly converted to him.

By George Slover
 

"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ," (2 Corinthians 10:4,5)

The soldiers of Christ are at war. It is not merely a physical, nor intellectual conflict. It is a spiritual battle. It is an engagement against every force of evil, and eternal souls are at stake. The goal of the Lord's army is to win hearts to Christ.

The soldier of Christ does not win souls by force or coercion. He does not carry on the conflict by trickery or slight of hand. He does not rely on human philosophy or eloquence. The death burial and resurrection of Christ is the focal point of his message.

His weapons are mighty because they are instruments from God. The gospel which Paul taught was not the product of man, but of God. It is by the power of God's gospel that the soldier will obtain the victory.

The strongholds of Satan include error, superstition, selfishness, bigotry, malice, and hatred; and they are powerful. But the sword of God is able to demolish them all. The gospel can unseat Satan's sophistry from the heart. Truth will win. Everything that exalts itself against God will be defeated.

Having removed all of Satan's vices, God moves is to occupy the heart. The goal of Christ is to rule all of our ambitions and preferences. He wants to rule our lives every second of every day of our life. With his power, God is able.

This battle is the greatest of all conflicts. It is not physical, nor merely mental. It is a spiritual battle in which God's honor is not to be compromised, and our eternal destiny is at stake. We must pick up the armor and fight!

By George Slover