What its for...

Up until now I've talked about the super-natural and how we should see more of it in our lives as Believers. I've also made warrior type references and I'd like to explain a little bit what I mean by those references. 
First of all, as we've discussed, the super-natural is an encouragement to Believers but the purpose of it is as a witness to the world. The Bible says that signs and wonders would follow in confirmation of the message of the Gospel.
There is also the fact that many of us are in need of healing and other touches from the Lord. I don't know why everyone isn't healed. I know that many have sought the Lord for healing for long periods of time... all I know is that He promised it. So, don't give up (if we suffer from something or even if we die, let's do so believing). However, this is what I believe. I believe that as we (the Body of Christ/the True Church) go through "The Door" (the cross- as discussed in a previous post Galatians 2:20) and die to ourselves a whole new world is going to be opened up to us (Corinthians 15:50). A place in our relationship with the Lord where we will be healed and blessed, just as He promised, but as we have died to ourselves we come to a place where it really doesn't matter to us much anymore. Not out of despair. Like when we go numb after fighting for something for so long (yes, I know what its like:)), but rather, like in the words of the apostle Paul in Philippians 1:20b-24, "... I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better. But if I live, I can do more fruitful work for Christ. So, I really don't know which is better. I'm torn between two desires: I long to go and be with Christ, which would be far better for me. But for your sakes, it is better that I continue to live..." 
Its this attitude that needs to begin to prevail in our lives whether we're talking about living or dying, or becoming rich or being poor, or being healed of some affliction or living on in spite of it, all the while, keeping in mind what He has promised. Perhaps it sounds a bit like a contradiction but its really just coming to a place of balance and maturity.
Secondly, this issue of militance. When we are born into this world we are born into a war, whether we like it or not. We either learn to fight it or we will live out our lives in defeat, simply running this way and that, seeking the path of least resistance (which, sadly, is what many, at least in western culture, are doing). In Matthew 11:7 it says that the kingdom of heaven allows violence and the violent take it by force. Wait a minute... what kind of violence are we talking about here? Isn't our world being turned upside down by religious violence? Yes, it is and that kind of violence is NOT what we're talking about here.
The Bible says that we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:12).
This was Jesus' purpose (1 John 3:8b), "... For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil."
This violence that the kingdom of heaven allows, then, is not a physical violence but a spiritual violence. I want to show you a perfect example of what I mean.
In the book of Matthew 14:1-14 we're told of the story of when John the Baptist (Jesus' cousin) was executed by King Herod. 
During King Herod's birthday party Herod's wife's daughter (actually, Herod's niece) danced for Herod. She pleased him greatly with her dancing and he promised, with a vow, that she could have anything she wanted. At her mother's urging she asked for the head of John the Baptist on a plater, because her mother hated him. Herod regretted what he had done but brought John from prison and beheaded him, giving his head on a plater to the girl and her mother.
Remember that John the Baptist was Jesus' cousin and as soon as Jesus heard the news, "... He left in a boat to a remote area to be alone..." (Matthew 14 13). But people heard of where He was headed and they travelled on foot from many different towns and met Him there. As Jesus got out of the boat He had compassion on them and He healed their sick.
Here's my point. Jesus' cousin is murdered and Jesus is hurt by this event so He goes away and starts healing people. Jesus discerns where this attack has come from... the devil. He then retaliates against the devil, not "flesh-and-blood" (in this case Herod), and his works by lifting the sicknesses off of the people that the devil is using to try to destroy them. In other words Jesus understands that the attack against his cousin has come from a spiritual source, the devil, and He keeps the fight spiritual by attacking the devil's works.
This is the spiritual kind of violence that the kingdom of heaven allows. To destroy the works of the devil, as we follow in Jesus' footsteps... being imitators of God as dear children (Ephesians 5:1).
We don't have to wait until the devil has struck us before we attack his kingdom. We can intercede on behalf of our communities and loved ones. We can pray for the sick. We can be a friend to someone. We can support ministries that are doing what the Lord would have them do. Whether healing or deliverance ministries or practical ministries of feeding the hungry, providing safe drinking water or housing projects but, above all, reaching out to save the lost. There is no treasure so sought after and valued as the eternal soul of a human being. People are the treasure being fought over between the forces of spiritual darkness and the forces of spiritual light. The devil can suffer no greater loss then to lose a soul that he thinks he's stolen from God.
The next time you feel down hearted or the devil attacks you on some level. Go lead someone to a relationship with Jesus... or at least sow a seed in their hearts. You'll be giving the devil a black eye... and more importantly, you'll be following in the footsteps of Jesus.