WE ARE IN A WAR

Ephesians 6:11-13 (NIV)
Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

                I grew up in the 60s and 70s, at the height of the Vietnam War. At that time, it was very unpopular to support the war or the troops who fought it. Any military references were seen in a negative light. During this time, the Church pulled away from the image of believers being soldiers in a war against Satan and his forces. All military images were replaced by an emphasis on the love and grace of God. Until recently, this shift in how we communicate the Christian Life has held sway. Unfortunately the over-emphasis on God’s love has led to unintended consequences. Although we can always find exceptions to the rule, the following general observations ring pretty true.

                Christians approach life passively rather than aggressively. There are some outstanding exceptions to this observation, but it holds true for the majority of believers. We have been taught to soften our message and bath everything in love and grace. Unfortunately for many people, this means that we are to be passive. An aggressive Christian is labeled as a zealot or a fanatic. These are not labels most of us want to carry around with us.

                When you are in a war, you cannot afford to be passive. A passive army automatically gives the upper hand to the enemy. In WWII, the French and the British learned too late that taking a passive approach to Hitler was not going to work. Even though it was not popular, they had to aggressively resist the spread of Nazi power.

                Although, in our personal relationships with individuals, the Bible calls for us to seek to live at peace, we can never live at peace with Satan. As followers of Christ, we cannot appease Satan, or live in a defensive mode. Instead we need to aggressively proclaim the Gospel in as many positive ways as we can. Jesus called for us to storm the very gates of hell.  And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Matthew 16:18 (NIV)

                We do not fight as the world does. Instead we fight with the positive alternatives to an ungodly world. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:17-21 (NIV)

                Christians are reluctant to take a moral stand for fear they will be seen as unloving. This trend is changing, but not always for the better. One of the greatest weapons the world has to use against Christians is the weapon of undefined, generic love. If a Christian takes a moral stand against abortion or homosexuality, he or she is automatically labeled as unloving. In fact, in the recent debate over same-sex marriage in Minnesota, those in favor of this trumpeted that it is the loving thing to do. Many Christians are now finding the courage to challenge this misguided approach. Unfortunately, some have allowed the pendulum to swing too far. Instead of taking a God-honoring moral stand, they have become abrasive and even abusive in the name of Christ.

                An army at war has clearly defined objectives. It does not listen to the propaganda of the enemy. It does not let the enemy set boundaries on what it can do. Instead it sets its sights on defeating the enemy by any means possible. The Church as allowed the world to define the ground rules for life. It is time for the Church to recapture its rightful place as the moral and spiritual leader.

                Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)

                Christians have come to expect life to be filled with peace and a lack of hardships. When hardships do come, we complain that God is being unfair or unloving. We have believed a lie. That lie is that God never wants you to suffer and that if you follow Christ you will have everything that you want.

                In a war, it is the rear echelon soldiers who complain the most. They complain about the food, the living conditions and the occasional encounter with the enemy. Being in the rear, they do not expect to get shot at. The frontline troops have a very different attitude. They expect to encounter the enemy regularly. They are thankful to have food and to be able to sleep once in a while. They begin every day expecting to get shot at.

                Too many Christians in America today have the attitude of rear echelon troops. They don’t expect to get shot at and they complain loudly when it happens. We are in a spiritual war, and we should expect casualties. We are not immune from the consequences of living in a fallen world. In fact, it is when we face the enemy’s assaults that we most fully experience the power of God in our lives.

                To keep me from becoming conceited because of these surpassingly great revelations, there was given me a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 (NIV)

                I don’t like conflict. I much prefer to live in peace with those around me. But, as a follower of Christ, I know that I will face hardships and obstacles of many kinds. These obstacles don’t mean that God has stopped loving me. They mean that I have been sent to the front lines. So maybe it is time to turn in our bathrobe and slippers for a helmet and combat boots.

                "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." John 16:33 (NIV)

                Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 (NIV)