“You said you wanted to know how to get Capone. Do you really want to get him? You see what I’m saying? What are you prepared to do?”
“Everything within the law.”, replied Ness.
“And then what are you prepared to do?…You must be prepared to go all the way because they won’t give up the fight until one of you is dead.”
And so the conversation goes between rookie Federal Agent Elliot Ness and his street smart veteran police officer recruit in the movie The Untouchables. The Untouchables portrays the real life struggle of Elliot Ness to put notorious criminal Al Capone behind bars.
Ness was born on April 19, 1903, in Chicago, Illinois. He joined the Bureau of Prohibition in 1927 at the age of 24 and assembled a team of Prohibition enforcement personnel known as “The Untouchables” to combat the bootlegging activities of gangster Al Capone. Ness is the man recognized for destroying the liquor empire operated by Al Capone, including his arrest and conviction of tax evasion. Ness was instrumental in breaking the power Capone had over the city of Chicago.
The Untouchables movie depicts Elliot Ness as a young, idealistic agent of the US Treasury Department who really had no idea how to bring down Capone. His right hand man – the veteran Chicago cop portrayed by Sean Connery – knows what he’s up against.
And so, when he asks Elliot Ness, “What are you prepared to do?” it is with an understanding of what they are facing. He understands the nature of the battle in which they are about to engage. He knows when they open this door they have to be 110% committed to go all the way. This battle will not be won half-heartedly. Victory will only be accomplished if they are wholehearted in their commitment to this overwhelming challenge.
So what challenge are you facing? Is it daunting? Is it overwhelming? Is it terrifying?
Are you filled with faith, or are you full of doubt? Are you energized and engaged or are you at your wits end and the end of your rope?
“You must be prepared to go all the way because they won’t give up the fight until one of you is dead.” – this is actually a fairly accurate reflection of the nature of the opposition you and I face every day. Jesus told us that we have a spiritual enemy who is out to steal, kill and destroy. Our enemy’s objective is our spiritual death, and total carnage in our lives here on earth.
This would be utterly overwhelming if we were on our own. Sadly, many men choose to live alone and fall prey to the ruthlessness of our spiritual opposition. However, we’re not alone. Regardless of where you’re at, Jesus is up for the challenge. And, He said He would never leave or forsake us.
He’s already triumphed over our enemies by the cross. The spiritual opposition set against us has been defeated by Jesus’ death and resurrection. However, we must get hold of what He’s accomplished on our behalf. In Christ, in His authority, we have victory of the spiritual opposition sent to destroy us and those we love.
We must understand that living in the authority of Christ only comes by surrendering to the authority of Christ; by taking up our cross and following Him.
So, what are you prepared to do to get hold of the life of Christ? What are you prepared to do to get hold of the victory of Christ? What are you prepared to do to get hold of the authority, the healing, the deliverance, and the transformation of Christ?
Will you surrender and worship Jesus when it’s difficult? Will you walk in openness, authenticity and accountability within community? Will you meditate on Truth and reject the lies of the enemy? Will you pray? Will you be ruthless with sin in your life? Will you submit yourself to the input of others who can see your blind spots? Will you live a life of repentance? Will you serve and love others? Will you keep saying “yes” to Jesus?
What are you prepared to do?
Philippians 3:12-14
“Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:8
“What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ.”
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (The Message)
“You’ve all been to the stadium and seen the athletes race. Everyone runs; one wins. Run to win. All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally. I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No sloppy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.”
Colossians 2:15
“And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.”