Eddie Grant: "Front Line"

 This song from 1979 highlights the violence in African countries as well as other evils. It also has a cool synth riff and solid reggae beat. Check it out here.

We who believe in Christ are on the "front line" of an age-old spiritual war. As we read in 1 Peter 5:6-8 (Bible in Basic English), Christ will protect us but we must still be watchful for Satan's attacks. "For this cause make yourselves low under the strong hand of God, so that when the time comes you may be lifted up; Putting all your troubles on him, for he takes care of you. Be serious and keep watch; the Evil One, who is against you, goes about like a lion with open mouth in search of food;"

Being at the front of the battle, we need Armour to protect us. That's why Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:11 and 12 (BBE), "Take up God's instruments of war, so that you may be able to keep your position against all the deceits of the Evil One. For our fight is not against flesh and blood, but against authorities and powers, against the world-rulers of this dark night, against the spirits of evil in the heavens."

Another aspect we must consider is enemy infiltration. As Jude 1:12 and 13 (BBE) warns us, "These men are unseen rocks at your love-feasts, when they take part in them with you, keepers of sheep who without fear take the food of the sheep; clouds without water rushing before the wind, wasted trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots, Violent waves of the sea, streaming with their shame, wandering stars for whom the darkest night is kept in store for ever."

Likewise, Paul warned his readers in Galatians 2:4 (BBE) about these infiltrators from the Devil. "And that because of the false brothers let in secretly, who came searching out our free condition which we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might make servants of us;"

With all the trouble we experience because of this spiritual war, it's good to know that it will come to an end. As Paul wrote about Christ's return in 2 Thessalonians 1:8 (BBE) he'll come, "To give punishment to those who have no knowledge of God, and to those who do not give ear to the good news of our Lord Jesus:"

If that hasn't happened by Thursday, I hope to post about those who doubt us when we speak the gospel.

The Dismissal of Creeds Error

During the past two-thousand years, church fathers came up with creeds to consolidate and solidify the tenets of the Christian faith. But in these modern days, some believers assume we don't need such supposedly restrictive rules. They believe that merely loving Jesus is enough.

The problem with that notion is that Satan has infiltrated churches with false teachers. We're warned in 2 Peter 2:1 (KJV) of such wicked people. "But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction."

Some of these false doctrines end up bringing people into the bondage of works. Paul warned about these types and shadows in Colossians 2:22 )KJV). "Which all are to perish with the using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men?"

Paul also warned of these retrograde doctrine preachers in Galatians 2:4 (KJV). "And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage:"

The Apostle's Creed is one of the first to be adopted by believers. It sets out the doctrines which the church teaches so as to immunize believers from lies.

So why would anybody want to ditch such valuable teaching tools as creeds? Some honestly don't understand their value but others deliberately wish them gone. Jesus said in John 14:24 (KJV) that, "He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father's which sent me."

People who are misled need correct teaching, the kind I'm adding to my book called You Think You're going to Heaven? Satan's infiltrators seek gullible followers but we can protect them from lies with the truth. Creeds are the condensed version of those.

On Thursday, I hope to post about the nonsense that we're all born basically good. Some professing Christians actually believe that but it isn't so.