FRIDAY November 20, 2020

Damage to the Kingdom of Darkness

Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ. Greet Mary, who labored much for us. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
Romans 16:5-7

Paul had incredible people around him, those who had been touched with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Epaenetus was the first covert of Paul in the region of Achaia––Greece. All these people caught the vision that Paul had given to them. These fellow workers saw the example of Paul’s hard labor and his time in prison, and they became imitators of Christ––and of Paul who said to the brethren: Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1).

These people loved each other, they loved Paul, and they loved Jesus––that is why they got along. They were true ministers of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, even though, like Mary, we do not know too much about them. These two women, Andronicus and Junia were fellow prisoners with Paul! All the names of these people are written in Romans 16 because of their effectiveness in the Kingdom of God. They helped the church to function. Each person was doing what God called them to do. They did damage to the kingdom of darkness.

Think of Christians whose names remain unknown––those who touch people in such a powerful way, serving in remote places, but are not placed in Christian history. They are willing to sacrifice everything, even to the point of leaving their families. They love God first and were truly found worthy of their Christian call (Matthew 10:37-39).

God uses those who have a pure heart, not a proudful heart. When a person steps into ministry, Satan hates it. Expect tribulations, depression, oppression, and even the darkness of hell to try to come and swallow you up! The more you stay close to the heart of God, the more Satan will come against you. Has your life caused damage to the kingdom of darkness?

When men try to extinguish the light of the gospel it burns more brightly.
~Henry T. Mahan~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!