In a time when it’s easier to be consumed by fear, doubt, and apathy, Jesus’ timeless words in Matthew 16:18 challenge us to rise to the challenge with audacious faith:
“I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” Matthew 16:18
This scripture affirms that when we combine our faith with audacious tenacity, there is no limit to what we can accomplish. In this article, you’ll explore what this scripture means, how it applies to our lives, and how we can encourage and inspire ourselves and others.
Note that this verse is not about us taking a defensive position but an invitation to siege the gates of hell! The promise is: They will not prevail.
These words are a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience of our faith. But what do they mean for us today? How can we apply this message to our lives, communities, and world?
Religious and Political Resistance against the Early Church
To understand the meaning of this verse, we need to look at the historical context in which it was written. At the time, the Christian church was a small and persecuted minority, facing opposition from the Roman Empire and other powerful forces. But despite this opposition, the early Christians persevered, spreading the message of Christ, and building a solid foundation for the church to grow.
In this passage, Jesus is telling us that no matter how strong our enemies may seem, we can overcome them. He urges us to be courageous and stand up for our beliefs, even against adversity.
Remember “Lord of the Rings”?
Just like in the movies, Lord of the Rings, where the heroes had to launch a surprise attack to turn the tide of battle, we too must be willing to take risks and think outside the box to finish God’s call on our lives: Commissioned to Go, Commanded to Love.
The best way to defend is to siege the enemies’ gates! So, what does it mean to “siege the gates”? It means we must take bold and decisive action to overcome the forces that seek to destroy us. This might mean taking a stand against injustice in our communities, standing up for our faith in the face of persecution, or reaching out to those in need with compassion and kindness. Whatever the challenge, we must be willing to face it head-on, with the knowledge that we are not alone.
We’re Not Alone
“Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them.” (Matt. 19:20). We have the power of faith on our side, and with this faith, we can accomplish great things.
Let us take heart from the words of Jesus and siege the gates of our enemies. Let us be bold and courageous in the face of adversity and never forget that we are not alone. With faith and perseverance, we can overcome even the most overwhelming odds and build a better world for ourselves and future generations.
We’re Always in a Spiritual Battle
Additionally, the idea of “sieging the gates” can be seen in other scripture passages as well. In 2 Corinthians 10:3-4, Paul writes: “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. The weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.“ This passage emphasizes the idea that our battles are not physical but spiritual in nature and that we must rely on the power of God to overcome our enemies.
In Ephesians 6:10-11, Paul also reminds us to put on the armor of God, saying: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.”
Take a Stand – By Grace in Faith
You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the LORD is with you.” 2 Chron 20:17
H3320. יצב yasab: A verb indicating to stand, confront, and take one’s stand. It is used in a reflexive stem to station oneself, to take a firm stand.
Women, Heroes of Faith
We also remember the radical Heroines of the Faith on MOTHER’S DAY – Esther, Deborah, Ruth, Priscilla, Joan of Arc, Mother Teresa, and Corrie Ten Boom!
Remember, we are not weak! He is building His Church! That means we’re not alone, we have a great cloud of eternal witnesses that are cheering us on, but also, in this life, we have a family, His BODY, standing alongside us in collective resistance against evil.
We are more RIGHT than WRONG
The devil is an ancient accuser constantly reminding us of where we fail, where we have missed it, and how others have sinned! Look up and see that the harvest is white! It is time to call all people to repentance! Forget about yourself and win the lost at all costs! No more excuses! The liberal culture war is relentless, and the tide is rising; the church looks weak and fragile! But God has given us the KEYS of the KINGDOM. Keys Plural! It means we have the key to every locked door! If we pray and wait on the Lord, He will show us the right key to unlock that door!
To subdue nations before him And loose the armor of kings, To open before him the double doors, So that the gates will not be shut: Isa 45:1
#boldness #radikaleGeloof #Aksie #Verlossing #Bevryding #Onverskrokke #Vreesloos #Deurbrake #Oorwinning
