Let there be no mistake, Followers of Jesus, we are at war. There is an increasing number whose declared intent is to shut us up, marginalize us, de-franchise us, persecute us and, yes, kill us. Label me a nut if you wish, but the evidence is overwhelming. Sadly, so far our response has been ineffective. Some of us haven’t gotten the message. Some of us are afraid. Some of us don’t understand this kind of war. I want to address only the last group today. If you haven’t gotten the message try watching the news. If you are still afraid, talk to Jesus.
This isn’t the kind of war we see on television. It’s not waged from behind computer terminals with deadly long distance weapons. This is hand-to-hand combat. Our fight is personal and face-to-face.
We don’t fight a traditional war. Our aim is not to occupy territory, cut off supply lines or kill our enemy. Those are the goals of the enemy. They are not ours. Confused?
We have to move from being reactive “Christians” to proactive followers. We can no longer just respond instinctively or emotionally. Here’s the deal:
We need to be guided by His plan. 16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28. The plan, my fellow followers, is make disciples, followers. We are to bring the enemy over to our side. Admittedly, it might be easier to kill them, but that’s not the plan.
Driven by His Love. 34“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35“By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” John 13. In case you didn’t get that: …43″You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ 44“But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.… Matthew 6. An enemy is “a person who is actively opposed or hostile to someone or something.” There are flesh and blood folks who meet this definition. In order to love them, we have to remember that they are deceived pawns of Satan, who are still loved by our Commander and thus, deserve to be loved by us.
Empowered by His Spirit. If you have any idea that I’m talking about something you can do on your own, check yourself into a mental rehab facility. I’m talking about no longer relying on the hope that some politician is going to make it all better. That’s what the disciples thought too. You are in good company, but it didn’t happen for them and it’s not going to happen for us. If in doubt, study a bit of end times prophecy. If you are not empowered by the Holy Spirit, just get out of the way and leave this fight for those who are.
Comforted by His Embrace. The battle is the Lord’s. The battle is already won. Nonetheless, there will be hurts, and wounds and exhaustion. War isn’t for sissies and loving the unlovable (and I’m just talking about our fellow followers) and those who hate us (now I get to the enemies) is dangerous work. If you aren’t at the place where you can retreat to your “war room” at the end of the day and just be held, leave this fight to somebody else until you can get there.
Just to be clear, I’m talking about getting out of our churches and “holy huddles” and getting into the face of the enemy. Give them what they least expect: compassion, understanding, love. This will cause confusion and uncertainty in their ranks and the Holy Spirit can move in and make the necessary changes.
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