10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. – John 10:10 (NIV)
The enemy of our souls is relentless in his pursuit to try and take away the things in our lives that really matter. He wants to steal our faith, our freedom in Christ, even our family members. He wants us to feel powerless. He wants us to become apathetic. He wants us to forget who we truly are in Christ Jesus. For some, the enemy has worked so hard and so long on us that we’ve bought in to his manipulation. We actually believe the destructive lies he’s been whispering into our ears. Many of us have family members who are far from the Lord today because the enemy has been in hot pursuit of them, convincing them Jesus isn’t real and following Him is a waste of time.
It’s even possible for churches to experience the enemy’s evil schemes. When the church tries to plan, create, and budget in their own strength instead of the power of the Holy Spirit, the enemy steals the potential effectiveness of her Kingdom work. When gossip, slander, and discord are prevalent amongst God’s people, the enemy kills her unity and witness. When church is seen as an event to attend or a religious club to belong to, the true identity of a royal priesthood of believers called to carry out the Great Commission is destroyed.
But the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is that what once was lost can be found because Jesus is in the reclamation business! He came to defeat the works of the enemy. He came to give us the power over sin and death. He came to let us know our true identity isn’t found in our past our what lies the enemy tells – our identity is found in Him. And when He reclaims us as His child, it’s then that we come to know what life truly is.
What has the enemy stolen from you that you’re desperate for the Lord Jesus Christ to reclaim?
Who are the people in your life that enemy has a firm grip on and need to experience the abundant life Jesus has to offer?
What does Jesus need to reclaim in our church in order for us to be the Gospel-centered, Kingdom-focused, Holy Spirit-filled body of Christ He intends us to be?