The SIAFU Guidebook

Preface

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will be saved (Matt. 21.31-32). Those who humble themselves shall be exalted (1 Pet. 5.5-6), and those who exalt themselves shall be brought low (Luke 18.14). It is the blind who will be given sight (John 9.39), and those who claim to see here and now shall be made blind (John 9.40-41). God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, what is weak in the world to shame the strong, and what is low and despised to bring to nothing things that are (1 Cor. 1.27-28). Without a doubt, only God can produce a revival to transform the city, and if he chooses to, the most likely candidates to lead that movement will be those most neglected and forgotten in the city itself. As they say here in the city, this is the way God “rolls.” According to the Bible, God has determined to fight against the spiritual forces of evil that have plagued humankind since the beginning of time. The prophets and apostles assert that the LORD sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to come to earth to win final victory over all the principalities and powers that have threatened to overthrow his good will and harm his creation. In the final judgment, all will be made right, under God’s reign. Until then, believers are to represent God’s interests, advancing his Kingdom in all places. All citations through this SIAFU Guidebook that speak of battle, warfare, and enemies relate to this spiritual warfare, this intent of God to put evil down and make all things new, under his reign. No mention of battle or fighting within this book relates to harming people or property, hurting any person in any way, or advocating that anyone be treated with less than full respect, regardless of their beliefs. As the apostle Paul describes this conflict, we do not fight against “flesh and blood” (human enemies and combatants), but rather against spiritual forces seeking to harm humankind and God’s creation. (Eph. 6.10-12 – Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. [11] Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. [12] For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.) The call to spiritual battle is not a

According to the Bible, God has determined to fight against the spiritual forces of evil that have plagued humankind since the beginning of time.