They called themselves the Zealots. This feisty little band of men somehow got the idea that they could take on the entire Roman army. Many of them died trying, but the Empire shook when they fell. Their lives burned with devotion to a cause they believed to be just.
One of those Zealots was called by Jesus to be one of the twelve. His name was Simon and the fiery passion, which already gripped his heart, was remarkably transformed. God changed his dreams for social change into an exiting vision for spiritual change. Simon became a Disciple of Jesus.
What kind of disciple are we today? As you think about the question, consider something God says: "I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth” Revelation 3:15,16
This statement is not good news for the majority of professing Christians. God says that if you are spiritually lukewarm you make Him vomit!
Is the Church making an impact on the world as God intends? America hasn’t experienced widespread revival in more than 100 years. Some Christians don’t believe such a spiritual awakening is possible today. The God of Elijah can bring revival today just as He has done so many times before. If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14 Will we Christians become torches burning with the fire of the Holy Spirit” Will you do what Simon the Zealot did?
Simon became a soldier for Jesus Christ. He had been a soldier of the Zealots, but he exchanged his uniform and weapons to fight in a more important battle. Will we join him?
Paul instructed the Ephesians to “put on the whole armor of God” Ephesians 6:10. He explained that Christians are to be real soldiers who fight in a real battle against a real enemy. The objective is spiritual victory.
No one likes to lose. It is just not a normal reaction. Neither is it normal to accept a loss complacently; yet the majority of Christian go down to spiritual defeat time after time without ever using the weapons which God provides for the conflict. What about you? Have you made preparation for spiritual victory? Do you know what provisions God has made for you during the battle?
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