Christianity is not about putting your head in the sand so you are blind to the ills around you. Loving someone where they are is loving the person regardless of the battle they are in, and seeing the person as God created them does not ignore the attacks of the enemy in the person’s life.   We have a Prince of Peace, a Prince in the city of God, and a king who was born that He should bear witness to the truth. As the Prince of Peace, He is the Keeper of the Peace and Defender of the Faith. A Keeper of the peace is not required unless the peace is at risk, and a defender of the faith is not required unless the faith is under attack.

The scripture says “fear not.”   Those instruction are given to someone with something capable of causing fear in their lives. Be of good cheer because Jesus has overcome this world is instruction to someone with events in their life that will challenge their good cheer. We wrestle not against flesh and blood, is a message given to one who are in a battle and misunderstands where the attack is coming from. Trusting God to fight your battle isn’t ignoring the battle, but knowing you are not in the battle alone. Watch and see the glory of God.   Lazarus was dead before he was brought back from the dead, and it is so with us.   Rebirth is from death to life with death still all around us in this world.   Watch and pray is an instruction given to someone with something happening all around them. Fear not!

We are not just criers in the night reporting on the hour the ills in the darkness. We are the light in dark places. A light is unnoticeable in a well-lit room, but in a dark room it is clearly seen.  Jesus is the light of the world as long as He is in the world, and He is in the world through the believer. The light exposes what has tried to hide in the darkness and battles not against the flesh, but the darkness that would rise up against the light.   In Christ Jesus we are in the light and with Him in us we are lamps to light up the darkness.   But, with our heads buried firmly in the sand we do not see the light. A light on the hill is not seen if it is buried in the sand.

This is not saying to look at the acts of the unbeliever as a way of judgement, but to see the spirit of darkness that battles against them and keeps them in unbelief. Love not only those of your household. That includes the house where you gather for praise and worship. Love your enemies and pray for those who use you for spite. Pray to see the darkness that is keeping them from the light. Be a light shining into their darkness by letting the One who is righteous shine through you. We are the righteousness of God in Him and He is the righteousness of God in us.   PRAISE GOD!