We don’t need to live under pressure; instead, we can begin to apply the pressure. God’s kingdom of light removes darkness. Here are some key points important to our advancement.
First, pinpoint the objective! The objective is the target area. We must discern the goal which God is setting before us. What is the single most important area which He would have us concentrate on? He may set before us something which seems unobtainable. He specializes in leading people to obtain the unobtainable. He turns setbacks into successes, troubles into triumphs. We must allow Him to turn our focus toward His victory.
The second key to advancement is to take the offensive. We will notice an important detail in Ephesians 6:11, as the Apostle Paul directs us to: “Put on the whole armor of God…” (NKJV). There are three things that have already been done, and four things we have yet to do in order to receive victory. We have strengthened our minds with truth. We have put on the breastplate of righteousness. We have shod our feet.
These indicate that we already stand in a strong position. Now we must do something.
We must take the shield of faith. We must take the helmet of salvation to protect our thoughts. We must take the sword of the Spirit to cut through every stronghold. We move forward to take the weapons of spiritual victory.
The third key to our advancement is that we must occupy the land. There can be no hesitation. Once we have defeated our enemies and opened new doors in our lives, we must take total possession of this new territory.
Finally, we must maintain security. Israel’s history demonstrates the consequence of failure to continue in the same strength and trust in God. The land they once possessed, they later lost and would struggle to regain.
Proverbs 4:23 says, “Keep thy hearts with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.”
God makes deposits in us but He expects us to maintain them. Never lose ground. We must keep a firm grip on what we have possessed and continue to build. Paul summed up this point in 2 Timothy 2:3-6:
“Put up with your share of hardship as a loyal soldier in Christ’s army. Remember: 1. That no soldier on active service gets himself entangled in business, or he will not please his commanding officer. 2. A man who enters an athletic contest wins no prize unless he keeps the rules laid down. 3. Only the man who works on the land has the right to the first share of its produce” (Phillips).
Our service is to Jesus. We live for Him and our loyalty must not be divided. The fruit of a life devoted to Him is that we can live in places He has planned for us and possess the promises far beyond provisions.
God’s door of deliverance is open to us. He is our strength and shield. He will fight our battles. And in Him, we can conquer life’s conflicts!
