Jesus said, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9). The pasture represents all of the blessings that are ours in Christ. The pasture is like the Promised Land. It is ours, but we must go in and possess it. We possess it by exercising our faith. Faith requires action. We have to declare our faith, speaking life.
Everything you need in this life is found in Jesus, the door. He promises life, abundant life! But there is also a thief, who comes to steal, kill and destroy (see John 10:10). Abundant life is not an unconditional promise. It is something we possess by faith.
Jesus has given us the keys of the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 16:19). The keys represent authority in heaven and on earth. What great privilege God has given to us! Upon the revelation of Christ, Jesus is building his church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it (Matthew 16:18). Have you ever felt like the gates of hell have opened wide against you? Sometimes I feel like the hordes of Satan assail me with ferocious fury. But, Jesus says Satan will not prevail. Jesus has given me authority, both in heaven and upon earth, to walk in victory.
There is the ever-present reality of two kingdoms - the kingdom of heaven and the kingdom of darkness. Darkness wants to secure a beach head in our souls, make camp, and continue to advance. Darkness wants to rule and reign in our personal lives, our families, our cities and our nations. The enemy’s kingdom is ruthless, deceitful and under-handed. Sometimes it seems unfair. But we can rule in the midst of our enemies (see Psalm 110:2). God will fight for us. But God wants us to take up our authority in Him. If we will do our part, God will do what we cannot do.
The nature of God’s kingdom is that it must be entered into. We must possess it by faith. II Timothy 6:12 says, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (emphasis mine). Jesus has provided everything we need through his life, death, and resurrection. We must walk in His blessing by faith.
Jesus said, “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force” (Matthew 11:12). This verse stirs me up. The kingdom of heaven is not for the faint of heart. In Luke 16:16, Jesus said it this way, “The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it.” God is calling us to a radical commitment to His kingdom.
Did you sign up for this fight? Perhaps not! But you were drafted into God’s army when you accepted His request to become His child. Welcome to the fight. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. When we feel the kingdom of darkness trying to impose its way upon us, something ought to rise up inside of us. We have the power within us that is greater than he who is in this world (I John 4:4). You can do this, you can be victorious!
What is your fight? What enemies are coming against you? Rise up and take your place of authority. Fight for your family, your children, your marriage, your city. Stand at the doorway of your home and declare that Jesus Christ is Lord. In the words of Nehemiah, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.” (Nehemiah 4:14)
