Spiritual Security
Lesson
Text: John 10:8 All that ever came before me are thieves
and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me
if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find
pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and
to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have
it more abundantly.
In this
materialistic society we guard and protect all that we have. We purchase
elaborate alarm systems to inform us of any intruders. The technology of
protecting oneself or property, in this day, is truly state of the art and on
the cutting age.
There are monitor
systems watching people who are totally unaware they are being observed. Some
systems, when you walk past at night, simply alert you by the illumination
of light. Other systems send off a silent alarm and before you know the police
force is on the scene checking out the suspect.
We protect
and guard our physical property as well as our lives. Responsible husbands take
out life insurance policies to financially cover their wife and children
if death should suddenly occur. There
is earthquake insurance, tornado insurance, home insurance, flood insurance,
renters insurance and car insurance, etc.
Anything, any
item you view as a prized possession can be secured through being insured.
People do not want to lose their most valuable possessions so they keep them
safe and properly stored. They keep them wrapped in plastic, in the box, in
the bag, in the bank or in the safe deposit box.
People
generally take care of the things that belong to them. But some how, when it
comes down to maintaining salvation or even finding salvation the financially
responsible, the only earthly beings created with the ability to reason become
careless, sloppy and unconcerned about the future. The same individuals that were quick to get insurance for their
physical and material possessions now become moronic and futile, concerning
their eternal resting place.
The thief,
on a spiritual level, is here to rob, steal kill and destroy your soul. Satan,
with the ability to transform himself into an angel of light is out to utterly
humiliate the Christian and leave him/her naked, destitute, strung out on
the corner and without a spiritual dime to call on God. He is out to leave
the Christian helpless to the point where the mediator cannot even mediate
because of spiritual unavailability.
The last big
earthquake in the San Francisco bay area came without warning. The Oakland
hills fire came without warning. Some were prepared through insurance and
others were not. Satan is seeking the life of the Christian. He is out like
a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour.
Satan has attacked
many faithful men in the Bible. He was out to sift Peter as wheat.
If Satan came
for these noble individuals, understand, he is coming for you. He has probably
already knocked on your door. Is your spiritual alarm system up for the challenge?
When the satanic influence of Lucifer darkens your door, will you notice him
or will he creep into your mortal body without you ever suspecting him? And
do not be tricked into thinking that because you overcame him once he will
never approach you again, because the minute you get your house and life in
order Satan will load up with an arsenal more deadly than the first.
Matthew
12:43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through
dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44 Then he saith, I will return
into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty,
swept, and garnished. 45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven
other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there:
and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be
also unto this wicked generation.
God wants
you to put on the whole armor so you can withstand the fiery darts of the
devil.
Matthew
24:42 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what
watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered
his house to be broken up. 44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such
an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.
Not only do
we protect our salvation because Satan would like it eradicated from existence,
we must also guard our salvation because we have no clue as to when Christ
is coming back. No man, woman, boy, girl or even Christ can predict His return.
We need the spiritual insurance and assurance so that when Christ returns
we will not be found bankrupt, riddled and stained with sin, believing we
had more time.
1 Thessalonians
5:2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh
as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety;
then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child;
and they shall not escape.
When a thief
enters or selects a home, he comes unannounced. He needs no invitation for
he makes his own. The thief does not even care if you are aware of his presence.
If you are sleep he will continue his doing. Satan arrives unannounced unless
we have offered to him an invitation. But for the Christian Satan comes on
that Sunday morning when we are feeling good and ready to worship. He comes
by to discourage us and stir up some mess. He is a thief and thieves are slippery
and can rob their victims witout them being aware of the robbery. Many in
the world today are being robbed and stripped by Satan of the opportunity
of coming to God and they have no idea.
Christ is
coming back like a thief in the night. We need our spiritual security system
which is to live right in Christ, walking after the Spirit and not after the
flesh. Adhering to the commands of God. Loving our brothers and sisters in
Christ. Loving our enemies. Treating people the way we want to be treated.
Spreading the gospel to the lost. following Christ with all our heart, mind,
body and soul.
We take care
of many things in this life, including other people, so let us all strive
to continue to guard our salvation and contend for the faith. Because Satan
will and is attacking and attempting to steal the Gospel out of the hearts
of Gods children:
Acts 20:28
Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the
which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which
he hath purchased with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after
my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things,
to draw away disciples after them.
Matthew
13:3 And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold,
a sower went forth to sow; 4 And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the
way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up: 5 Some fell upon
stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up,
because they had no deepness of earth: 6 And when the sun was up, they
were scorched; and because they had no root, they withered away. 7 And
some fell among thorns; and the thorns sprung up, and choked them:
1 Timothy
4:1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some
shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines
of devils;
Keep your spiritual
security system in perfect working order.
Amen