“There is a time for everything . . . a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1, 8)
On this last of day of our study of this famous biblical poem, we come to some of the best and worst seasons of all.
The good news is that being a Christian means it is always time for love and time for peace. That season never ends for those who are powered by God’s Spirit. Galatians 5:22 lists both of those emotions as parts of the fruit of the Spirit. And we’re commanded to love – and keep loving – both God and our neighbors.
But we’re also called to ongoing seasons of hate and war. Romans 12:9 tells us to hate what is evil – and there’s a lot of evil, including the evil of our own sin. And Ephesians 6 describes how we must arm ourselves for the spiritual battle we fight against Satan and his demons. That season of spiritual warfare is one far too many of us are trying to sit out – because we don’t really know what time it is.
Think: How are you participating in these four different seasons that will always be part of the Christian life until we’re in heaven? Are you hating evil? Prepared for battle with a spiritual enemy? Finding ways to love God and your neighbors? Living in the peace of Christ that is beyond understanding?
Pray: Ask God to help you to love him and hate evil. Ask him to help you to live in peace while preparing yourself for spiritual warfare.
Do: Read more about arming yourself for war in Ephesians 6:10-18.