Instrument of War – The Sword

Sword

“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thoughts of the heart.” – Hebrews 4:12, NET

As a kid, I was not allowed to watch the cartoon He-Man due to its pagan elements. But I have to confess, my brother and I snuck around and watched some episodes when my parents were not at home. As ridiculous as the show is, I love that magical moment when He-man lifts his sword and summons a great transformational power. I am drawn to those moments in movies where the hero grasps a weapon of great power (ex: Arthur draws out Excalibur; Aragorn takes the sword Anduril; Harry is given his wand by Olivander; Peter unsheathes the sword given by Father Christmas).

Consider the magic of the moment, when transformation power is presented to an otherwise ordinary individual. We have a weapon like that. The atonement is our transforming sword (2Co 3:18) that purchased our glorious sonship (Gal 4:6; Rom 8:14-17). It has made us holy soldiers (2Ti 2:3-4), granting us the power of the Spirit to love and bring our flesh into submission (2Ti 1:7-8), and to be enlightened in our understanding and sight (Eph 3:16-20), bold in our testimony (Acts 1:8), and sacrificial in our love (Eph 5:1-2). For we are promised the victory (1Co 15:57) as conquerors (1Jo 4:4).

Draw it out and gaze upon its majestic gleam. Recite its inscription until it is etched on your heart. Hold it aloft and feel it transforming you into something greater.

“I can pray this because his divine power has bestowed on us everything necessary for life and godliness through the rich knowledge of the one who called us by his own glory and excellence. Through these things he has bestowed on us his precious and most magnificent promises, so that by means of what was promised you may become partakers of the divine nature, after escaping the worldly corruption that is produced by evil desire.” –2 Peter 1:3-4, NET

Billy Neal

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