“It is finished,” said Jesus.
The war has been won. The enemy has been defeated.
That victory was secured on the cross of Calvary. Yet the battle rages on. The enemy still operates—even in defeat. Because this is a daily battle, it is essential that we engage in order to win, and to that end, we must be equipped.
I once read a book titled Chess: The Easy Way by Reuben Fine. As an ardent fan of chess—I have played since childhood—I found the book rich with enduring principles that would shape my play for years to come. I mention this because I want to use Fine’s foundational principles as a lens through which to examine key principles of the Kingdom of God.
Success—both in chess and in the Kingdom—requires strategy, preparation, and tactics, all of which are clearly defined and expounded upon in the epistles of the Apostle Paul.
At the most fundamental level, Fine introduces three governing principles.
The Principle of Force
“The player who is ahead in material should win.”
In the Kingdom, our material—our weapons of war—is the Word of God.
Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, in all our getting, we must get understanding. We are called to listen to the instruction of our Father and gain understanding, for it preserves us, brings honor, and leads to long life.
The Word of God is the sword of the Spirit. This is our material. This is our weapon. There is nothing else that guarantees victory.
The more deeply we know the Word, the more assured our success in the Kingdom becomes. Knowledge and understanding of Scripture manifest themselves in ways we often cannot anticipate—through divine guidance, favor, and sustained direction throughout our lives.
When we burn the Word into our hearts, refusing to lean on the ways of the world and instead following the voice of God, we align ourselves with victory. By this measure, all who seek and find the truth contained in Scripture are winners.
This is the only path God has ordained.
This is the only way He condones.
This is the only approach that brings Him glory.
The more “material” we possess, the greater our chances of success. Conversely, those who lack material are bound to lose—we perish for lack of knowledge. This is foundational.
And when taken to heart, it leads directly to the second principle.
The Principle of Mobility
“The player who has more room for his pieces to move has the greater advantage.”
What is this “room” in the Kingdom?
What is this advantage?
Simply put, it is found in fruit and gifts—both of the same Spirit.
The Fruits of the Spirit
- Love
- Joy
- Peace
- Long-suffering
- Gentleness
- Goodness
- Faith
- Meekness
- Temperance
Every believer is called to grow and bear fruit, regardless of calling or position. Fruit-bearing is directly correlated with our knowledge of the Word and our relationship with God. Just as a branch matures and bears fruit in season, we must grow into spiritual maturity.
The Gifts of the Spirit
- Word of Wisdom
- Word of Knowledge
- Faith
- Gifts of Healing
- Miracles
- Prophecy
- Discerning of Spirits
- Tongues
- Interpretation of Tongues
These gifts all originate from the same source. Some receive more, some less, but all are called to earnestly desire the gifts that edify the Church.
When fruit and gifts operate together in a mature believer, there is immense room to move. Such a person is more effective than one who is undeveloped. The more fruit and gifts working in our lives, the greater our mobility—and the greater our usefulness.
With this room, we can:
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go farther
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reach wider
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endure longer
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impact more lives
Force wins. Mobility gives advantage.
They are inseparable.
However, mobility is temporal, not constant. Therefore, it must be used decisively, energetically, and at the right time. Miracles and healings do not manifest everywhere or at all times. They are the work of the Spirit, released at opportune moments as He wills.
Our role is to be ready.
A simple corollary follows: gifts are meant to be used in cooperation. Not all possess all gifts, and no gift operates continuously. When believers work together, the combined effect becomes a phenomenon unto itself.
Seek it.
Hone it.
Develop it—by the Spirit.
This brings us to the final principle.
The Principle of Safety
“Safety is of primary importance.”
This is fundamental.
The safety of God’s agenda always comes first. The opposite is self-service and self-seeking. Advancing our own agenda at the expense of God’s is a guaranteed path to disaster—it is like pouring cold water on burning embers.
This principle applies at the beginning of our Christian walk, but even more so as we mature and take up the cross to follow Him.
Alongside God’s agenda is personal safety. We must guard ourselves against exposure to spiritual attack, which results in the loss of “pieces” and “room”—the erosion of love, joy, peace, and faith.
This requires:
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avoiding sin
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pursuing peace with all
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striving for holiness, without which no one will see God
Above all, we must guard our hearts from the enemy’s schemes through the shield of faith, for out of the heart flow the issues of life.
Ultimately, our safety lies in our proximity to the King. To step away—one way or another—to fight on our own is to violate the Principle of Safety. The result is immediate and costly loss.
We do not stand alone:
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God is behind us
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Jesus is beside us
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The Holy Spirit leads us
This is our formation.
This is our preparation.
This is how we engage the battle.
As a rule, it is impossible to be successfully attacked by one who is equal or weaker when we are protected by One infinitely stronger.
Conclusion
Be prepared to stand in the Kingdom.
Stand equipped.
Stand wisely.
Stand safely.
This is the Kingdom—the Easy Way.
Originally Written: Mar 31, 2009 1:52:26 am
