The story of the rebellious Watchers violating their God-given boundaries gave rise to unspeakable evil and violence in the world. We will look deeper into that in the weeks to come. It would be easy for us to take on a posture of futility and fear seeing reality through this lens, but the Psalmist reminds us God is still and always in complete control. The challenge is to take the truth of this ancient story and translate it to modern faithfulness to The Way of Jesus.

The way we live our everyday lives will reflect and flow from what we believe to be actually true; including whether or not we view our adversaries as defeated or not. Colossians 2:15 is pretty plain. Jesus has already stripped them of their authority, the war has been won, but there are still scurmishes to endure and battles to fight as we await the second half of the "already / not yet" of the redemption story arc.

So many Christians, and Christian leaders, operate from a position of fear, believing evil still holds the upper hand. This causes us to retreat and compromise, striving for control. But Paul reminds us to bring to mind the decisive victory has already been won. It really was "finished" on the cross.

To walk in the Way of Jesus means refusing to live like we are constantly under threat, fearful of everything new, and old, thing that lurks around the corner. We resist evil and sin not to earn our safety, but because we are already safe, belonging fully to the Victor! Obedience is a response to freedom, not a down payment for it. It's not survival ... it's thriving!

We sell the work of Jesus short when we only exalt the fact that He died to forgive our sins. It's true, but ... it's incomplete if we stop there. He also disarmed the rulers of this world; He triumphed over death and all the minions who would oppose Him and His work. Then, in one of the grandest miracles of all time, those of us united to Him are allowed to share in that triumph! It amazes me every time I think of it.

Today, let us endeavor to walk boldly, resist the lies of the enemy, speak the Truth, and extend the grace so patiently extended to us. We should live as someone who knows where the authority truly lies ... In Him and nothing else.

Today, Christians often walk in fear. Fear of alternative spiritual views, fear of different political agendas, fear of progressive Christians, fear of deconstruction, and fear of losing that which is dear to us. These aren't the habits of someone who has their grounding and confidence in the finished, disarming and exalting work of Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and ascension. 

What habits or fears suggest you are still living as though evil has the final word?
How might your daily obedience change if you trusted Christ’s victory more fully?

Father, grant me the courage and wisdom to live in the freedom you secured at the cross. Teach me to walk confidently in Your Truth, authority, and peace. Amen.