The Balm of Gilead

Scripture: ‘… my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” Ephesians 6:10.

Bible Passage: Ephesians 6:10-17

Introduction
A race cannot possibly be a walk in the park. And the Christian race is no exception. In fact, wounds are inevitable in the Christian race and some will be called to pay the ultimate price. In the end, we will still win, if we faint not, and persevere till the very end.

The Wounds
Our adversary is extremely vicious and brutal. He is in a no-holds-barred mission to kill and destroy. He will inflict wounds, Jn.10: 10; Job 2:7; Lk.4: 5-8. Resist we must. And stand till the very end, Eph.6: 13-14. Look unto Jesus and the finishing line. Pay scarce attention to the wounds, Heb.12: 1-2, Num. 13:32, Rom.10: 18.

Be Holy
No one can win this battle without being absolutely holy. Holiness is the very nature and essence of God. Sinners are not even in the race. We, therefore, need to constantly find out whether we are still in, 2 Cor. 13:5. There is no middle ground, Mt. 12:30, Rev. 3:15-16. Sin is a debilitating spoiler and ultimately fatal, Pro. 14:34, Rom. 6:23. We are in a spiritual warfare. Our weapons cannot be physical, Eph.6: 10-18. We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, rulers of darkness of this world and spiritual wickedness in high places. Our weapons are not carnal but mighty through God, 2 Cor.10: 4. Whatever is not of faith is sin, Jam.1: 2-8. “…Submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee”, Jam.4: 7, 2 Cor.10: 5. We walk by faith and not by sight, 2 Cor.5: 7. Pray without ceasing in faith. Doubt not and The Lord Jesus will respond beyond your wildest dreams and imagination, Mk.11: 24. He took all our infirmities, Mt.8: 17. He healed all that were oppressed of the devil, Acts 10:38. By His stripes we were healed.

The Glory
All the glory, praise and dominion belong to God. Give it all to Him all the time. This is the perfect will of God concerning us, Phil.4: 6. Abraham, for instance, ignored the “hard facts” and held on to the promise in faith, persuaded that God will come through even though he and his wife were old, Rom.4: 19-21. They gave God all the glory.

Conclusion
God still has a balm in Gilead for the wounded soul, Jer.8: 22. He will give beauty for our ashes. The wound will become beautiful scars and tell-tale insignia of a victorious soldier of the cross. In the mighty name of Jesus you will be decorated. You will laugh last.