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The Stance of the Gospel of Peace

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Nahum 1:15 Behold, on the mountains the feet of him who brings good tidings, who proclaims peace! O Judah, keep your appointed feasts,
perform your vows. For the wicked one shall no more pass through you; he is utterly cut off.

The root meaning for the root word “good tidings” especially pertained to military encounters whose messenger was fresh from the field of battle. The news that would be brought regarding the battle was the good news of victory. The prophet Nahum refers to the “wicked one.” The New Testament equivalent for this word is Belial. Paul refers to it in 2 Cor. 6:15: What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? NIV Paul is using this name to refer to satan.

What’s the good news of Nahum? Belial, the wicked one, has been utterly cut off. How is he cut off? By the message of the Good News. What is the message of the Good News? For us as believers in Jesus it’s all about the His Blood. But how is this Good News Activated? It’s in the feet of those who proclaim peace or shalom. Paul refers to this in Ephesians 6:15 And having shod your feet in preparation [to face the enemy with the firm-footed stability, the promptness, and the readiness produced by the good news] of the Gospel of peace. The messenger stands on Peace and in Peace. That is their warfare because their trust is in the Prince of Peace. This is how they fight the Good Fight of Faith.

A stance is everything in fighting. It’s your foundation and base. If your foundation, or base, is out of balance you will surely fall. If your foundation, or base, is out of balance neither your offense nor your defense will be effective because the enemy already has you off balance. We overcome our enemy by the Good News of the Blood and the Peace that Good News brings. Revelation 12:9-11 (911!!!) reminds us: And the huge dragon was cast down and out—that age-old serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, he who is the seducer (deceiver) of all humanity the world over; he was forced out and down to the earth, and his angels were flung out along with him.10 Then I heard a strong (loud) voice in heaven, saying, Now it has come—the salvation and the power and the kingdom (the dominion, the reign) of our God, and the power (the sovereignty, the authority) of His Christ (the Messiah); for the accuser of our brethren, he who keeps bringing before our God charges against them day and night, has been cast out!11 And they have overcome (conquered) him by means of the blood of the Lamb and by the utterance of their testimony, for they did not love and cling to life even when faced with death [holding their lives cheap till they had to die for their witnessing].

That Blood works because of the One Who sacrificed His Life that we might live. Yet it’s only activated in those who do not cling to life but face death head on. The Apostles were always facing death and Paul reminded us of it: Even as it is written, For Thy sake we are put to death all the day long; we are regarded and counted as sheep for the slaughter.37 Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us.38 For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers,39 Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.(Romans 8:36-39)

Yet in the midst of their for Jesus, to themselves, and for others, they became more than conquerors and gained a victory. This is why Paul reminded the Ephesians: Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil. (Eph. 6:11) He repeats this topic of standing in verses 13-14: Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place].14 Stand therefore [hold your ground], having tightened the belt of truth….(Eph. 6:13-14) The conclusion? Tighten up on the Truth, the Gospel, the Blood of Jesus. Know what His Blood and Gospel has secured and fight the Good Fight of Faith knowing that Resurrection Life awaits those who gladly lay down their lives for the Reward of the Lamb and for His suffering! The Battle is won by the proclamation of what His Blood has done. When you feel defeated and discouraged begin to remind the enemy what Jesus’ Blood has done and proclaim it aloud never forgetting your stance is everything. Remember your stance is everything.

Confession & Declaration 14

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Colossians 1:20 And God purposed that through (by the service, the intervention of) Him [the Son] all things should be completely reconciled back to Himself, whether on earth or in heaven, as through Him, [the Father] made peace by means of the blood of His cross.

The implications of this statement by Paul is similar to the ones made regarding Declaration 13 yet there is a subtle, often overlooked message found in the use of the word peace. The Greek meaning for peace simply means “to make peace, and establish harmony.” That is powerful enough by itself and I will return to it in a few minutes but first I want you to see something else. In John 20:19 Jesus appears to His Disciples: Then on that same first day of the week, when it was evening, though the disciples were behind closed doors for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace to you!

When I read that passage I usually end up chuckling. The reason for my humor is that I am typically reminded of an old translation of the New Testament known as the Cotton Patch Version of the Bible. The “Cotton Patch” Gospel is a colloquial translation of most of the New Testament by Southern Baptist minister Clarence Jordan. Jordan’s goal was to communicate the New Testament in the idiom of the South so that “plain folks” could better understand it. To do this, Jordan, who worked from Greek texts, changed both the setting and the language of the New Testament. For example, John the Baptist conducts baptisms in the Chattahoochee River, and Jesus is born in Gainesville. Also, Jesus makes such statements as “Come to me, all of you who are frustrated and have had a bellyful, and I will give you zest” (as opposed to the Matthew 11:28 verse, traditionally translated from the Greek as “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”). All of that to say when I read this passage I typically imagine Jesus saying, Shalom ya’ll! Shalom being the Hebrew word for Peace and a much richer word in meaning than that which we have in Greek. The Hebrew meaning for peace means: completeness, soundness, welfare, peace; completeness (in number); safety, soundness (in body); welfare, health, prosperity; peace, quiet, tranquillity, contentment; peace, friendship of human relationships with God especially in covenant relationship; peace (from war). The popular Scripture Jeremiah 29:11 states: For I know the thoughts and plans that I have for you, says the Lord, thoughts and plans for welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you hope in your final outcome. This popular passage utilizes the idea of Shalom. This is why Hebrews 4:11 states: Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, that no one fall by the same sort of disobedience. Thus we are to strive to enter the fullness of His Peace (Shalom) – while knowing it has already been accomplished through the blood of Jesus.

Now let’s return to the other aspect of the Greek meaning for Peace: “to establish harmony.” Zephaniah 3:17 states: The Lord your God is in the midst of you, a Mighty One, a Savior [Who saves]! He will rejoice over you with joy; He will rest [in silent satisfaction] and in His love He will be silent and make no mention [of past sins, or even recall them]; He will exult over you with singing.

When Jesus brought us into His Peace – He brought us into His Song. The Hebrew word for “rejoice” means to leap, spin, to be joyful. I love this picture of Jesus. He brought us into His Peace with singing, leaping, spinning, and joy. You are His Joy! You make Him sing! How powerful is that? If that won’t get your praise on I don’t know what will.

Declaration 14: I praise You Lord Jesus that You have brought me into Your Peace with singing, and dancing. I am humbled and filled with joy because I am Your Song. I cause You to dance. Today and forever, I say to You – You are my song! You cause me to dance and sing your praises. You cause me to rejoice with You as You bring me to life. Thank You for singing bringing me into harmony with You. Thank You for Your Shalom that has and is making me complete, and sound. Thank You Jesus that Your Shalom brings for me welfare, safety, and soundness in mind, body and spirit. Thank You Jesus that through Your Shalom You have healed and are healing me. Thank You that through Your Shalom I am to prosper and succeed. Thank You that Your Shalom has brought me into a covenant of friendship with You, the Father and the Holy Spirit. Thank You that the battles are Yours and I am just called to enforce the Victory. Hallelujah! I worship and glorify You. I love You. Give me ears to hear the Singer’s Song. Give me feet to dance in Your Peace – to Dance through Your Peace!

Who’s Your One: Monday Day 8