The new man is the newness God has set in this old dying world. The new man is set in a rebellious world. Everything around him is rebelling against God, and he is charged with the responsibility to see all things reconciled back to God, brought into conformity to the reality in Christ. So we are set as forceful kings to bring into conformity this rebellious world. This is not an easy task, and it cannot be done softly.
"And you will shepherd them with unlimited authority, crushing their rebellion as an iron rod smashes jars of clay!" (Psa 2:9 TPT).
"To all who are victorious, who obey me to the very end, To them I will give authority over all the nations. *They will rule the nations with an iron rod and smash them like clay pots.* They will have the same authority I received from my Father, and I will also give them the morning star!" (Rev 2:26-28).
"She [the bride] gave birth to a son who was to rule all nations with an iron rod." (Rev 12:5).
"From his mouth came a sharp sword to strike down the nations. *He will rule them with an iron rod.* He will release the fierce wrath of God, the Almighty, like juice flowing from a winepress." (Rev 19:15).
When it comes to ruling rebellious subject, we rule with an iron rod, smashing them like clay pots, and forcefully bringing them into conformity. This is the job of the new man even now as he is seated in Christ on the throne in heaven (Eph 2:6). Hence, the new man is not a soft king. He is up to the task, for he rules with a iron rod. He advances with the kingdom mightily and forcefully, bringing into conformity all that he encounters.
"bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ," (2Cor 10:5).
The new man is a fierce warrior sitting on the throne, commanding such irresistible power, bringing all things to obedience. He starts with his members, bringing his thoughts to conformity and obedience to Christ. From his thoughts to his habits, his tendencies, his emotions, his words, his actions and occupation. He brings his flesh to obedience and then advance to the world around him, moving the kingdom as it conquers one rebellion after the other.
Yes, you are not soft. You are tough, you are fierce, and you rule with a iron rod. You are not asking and begging the this rebellion to be conformed to the reality in Christ. No, you are forcefully bringing them to conformity. You are bold and confident. You are courageous because there is nothing that can match the power inside of you — they are all so insignificant in comparison. You kick the devil about like a filthy rage, you smash all of his evil works, you break his power and leave him utterly defeated.
You are an undefeatable one man army, forcefully advancing the reality of Christ in every area of your life. You are unstoppable, moving from one victory to another, putting to wast all the works of the devil. Just keep riding on — keep riding in the victory of our Lord.
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