Is Christ Covenant Cursed?

“Fear not, for I am with you.”  ~Isaiah 43:5

“It feels like Christ Covenant is under satanic attack,” and, “Is Christ Covenant cursed?” Several folk in the congregation have said something to this effect in light of the abundance of difficult providences recently experienced by members of our church family. Is it true? Are we under satanic attack? Are we cursed? 

Are we under satanic attack?
Make no mistake about it, we are in a spiritual war (2 Cor. 10:1-6). There is a spiritual battle waging all around you, and nobody — Christian or non-Christian alike — is immune. As Christians, we wrestle against “the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12).

And Satan (literally “adversary”) is real and active. He prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. Described vividly as a great red dragon (Rev. 12), he is the Devil (accuser), Apollyon (destroyer), the deceiver of the whole world, the father of lies, a murderer, and the persecutor of the Church (Rev. 12:17). I believe he’s waging warfare and is behind, among other things, the blood of the abortion industry, the insanity of gender theory and critical theory, the multi-billion-dollar porn industry, and the division, compromise, and false teachers in the Church. He wreaks havoc in individuals, families, churches, and nations. Yes, he is out to get Christ Covenant!

Is there a sense where he may be taking aim at Christ Covenant specifically? I don’t know. Hopefully. If Satan and his forces are locking in on Christ Covenant, it means we are doing something right. It means we are a stronghold for Christ, and Satan doesn’t want us to march forward uncontested. It means the love we have for Christ, our love for one another, the rockets of worship we fire every Sunday, and our witness and Christ-centered community are irking him to the point that he wants to fight back. If so, good. And if he is locked in on us, we remember, brothers and sisters, that the devil is God’s devil. He’s a loser. He’s on God’s leash. Like when he went after Job, he can do no more than what God permits. And what Satan means for evil, God means for good.   

Are we cursed?
Unequivocally no! Not only is Christ Covenant not cursed, we are absolutely blessed. We live under His benediction! As children of God who love Him, we are confident that He works all things together for our good (Rom. 8:28). Yes, there are times when He disciplines His children, but even then it’s because He loves us and wants us to share His holiness (Heb. 12:3-11). I’m not saying, as a church, we have it all together (Jesus had something against five of the seven churches in the book of Revelation), but I am saying God loves us, is with us, and is for us. And if He is for us, who can be against us? No, not cursed. Jesus was cursed on the cross so that all we will ever know is the blessing of God.  

Brothers and sisters, let us give thanks today for the love and benediction of God. In this difficult season, let us look to Him, trust Him, trust He’s with us and for us, and trust He’s doing what’s best. Let us also take the fight to Satan, in faithful Sabbath worship, prayer, evangelism, service, unity, and, as we have been doing, in loving on one another.

Rev. Rob Dykes, Pastor of Preaching & Congregational Care