During the Christmas season, it becomes even more obvious that there is a battle between Christians and the world. The world is focused on selfishness, pleasure-seeking, the lusts of the flesh, and the pride of life (1 Jn 2:16, RSV-CE). Christians focus on Christ, the Father's will, the gifts and the fruit of the Spirit, and humility. Consequently, the world hates Jesus' disciples as it hates Him (Jn 15:18). Through the Holy Spirit, we Christians have proven the world wrong about sin, justice, and condemnation (Jn 16:8). Through the cross, we have been crucified to the world, and the world to us (Gal 6:14). Therefore, the world hates us. We are going to conquer the world through faith in Jesus as the Son of God (1 Jn 5:5) or be conquered by the world.
We are either "enemies of the cross" or enemies of the world (Phil 3:18; Jas 4:4). The world has already been defeated by Jesus, and it will soon pass away as Jesus returns in glory (1 Jn 2:17). However, we are in "a great war of ignorance" (Wis 14:22), "a great contest of suffering" (Heb 10:32), and "the great period of trial" (Rv 7:14) in which the defeated, departing world tries to deceive us into aligning ourselves with it and into being branded with the mark of the beast (see Rv 13:16-17).
Let us give our lives to Jesus, persevere in serving Him and His Church, and conquer the world. Let us be more than conquerors (Rm 8:37). Reject the world, the flesh, and the devil. Choose Jesus.
| PRAYER: | Father, I will not walk by sight but walk and conquer by faith (2 Cor 5:7). |
| PROMISE: | "He often retired to deserted places and prayed." –Lk 5:16 |
| PRAISE: | St. Raymond studied Arabic and the Koran to dialogue with Muslims. He utilized this knowledge in authoring the Order for the Redemption of Captives (to redeem Christian prisoners). |
Reprinted with permission from Presentation Ministries, a lay association of the Catholic Church that focuses on evangelization and discipleship through Bible teaching, daily Mass, the charisms of the Holy Spirit, and Small Christian Community. Their ministries include:
· One Bread, One Body
· Daily Bread Radio Program
· Annual Bible Institute
· Discipleship Retreats
· Guadalupe Bible College