A Time for War
For what shall we argue, for what shall we debate, for what shall we fight with word and deed, for what shall we take a stand?
In every generation, this is the question that the Church corporate, and each individual must ask.
What is something that you find yourself "fired up" about?
Especially leading up to the 2020 presidential election, and now with the results still being determined, there have been so many discussions ensuing, so many heated dinner-time conversations, and many hastily written social media comments. I find myself quite easily falling into the same situation! I challenge you, dear reader, to take a minute and go through the topics that are near to your heart - Even make a list on a sheet of paper, if you so desire.
Pray over this list - What is your motivation for holding to a certain point of view? How hard are you willing to fight for it? Most importantly, can you back your views with Scripture?
I have been asking myself for a couple years now, "What am I truly willing to take a stand for?"
"Where do I draw the line between living at peace and in submission to the governing authorities, and standing up for what I believe, no matter the cost?"
Abortion has been on my heart and mind a lot lately - The thought has come to mind, "Am I a professing pro-lifer, but a practicing pro-abortionist?"
Am I complicit in abortion, by sitting around wagging my tongue, but taking no other action?Think carefully, dear reader, examine your passions and arguments that you take up - Do your beliefs shape the way that you live, or do they only shape the way that you argue on Facebook, and the political websites you follow?(I say this to myself as well!)If our passions are not in line with Scripture, then we should be questioning why we hold them, and whether or not they are worth standing by? Are the Scripturally-based passions that we have actually evident in our lives and calendar events, or only by our words?
If only by our words, then may I be so bold as to claim that we are:
Blowers of empty air,Hypocritical,Negligent,And disobedient.
Abortion is a huge topic, but this manner of examining ourselves according to Scripture is applicable throughout all of life.
Here is another personal example, hospitality.
Hospitality is not a hotly debated item, too often, in my own heart, it can fall by the wayside, and yet we have been commanded to be hospitable!
How might my own life look different, if I took that command of God more seriously, and lived with a heart of passionate love for the saints, serving them through hospitality? Utilizing the joy of hospitality to welcome non-believers in, to show them love and care, and to share the gospel of our Lord (as we have been commanded.)
It can be so easy to be "too tired" "too busy" - or just too stinkin' preoccupied with my own "needs" I forget to what I have been called, there is no caveat in Scripture for "if you don't feel like it, you don't have to obey these commands."
There is a great danger to looking at Scripture and deeming it too radical to follow in our modern world.
The God of the universe, Savior of your life, Keeper of your salvation, and Lover of your soul, the matchless King of kings, and Lord of lords does not give commands that are optional or dependent on your energy level, whether or not you're introverted, or if your house is clean.
We are not our own, why do we persist in acting like it?
With the title of this post, and the current events, you may have been expecting a very different post than this.
Am I calling for war?
Yes, but not the kind that you might be thinking of. This war is not fought with weapons of this world, but by a putting on of the armor of God, by crying out to Him for forgiveness, strength, and equipping to fight this war:
war in my own heart,war on sin,on complacency, on idolatry,on the slothful lusting after the things of this world that permeates the American church.
******* "For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot."Romans 8:7 "And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."Galatians 5:24
******* Christian, if we are in Christ, we have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. We must cry out in repentance for the spiritual slothfulness that has captured our hearts! I have made myself god in my own mind, by the manner in which I have prioritized my own needs above the commands of my Savior! Praise God for His bountiful mercy, and the working of His Spirit, it is only by His strength, His equipping, and His grace, that we are able to live a life pleasing to Him and to resist the sirens of the flesh.
*******
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,"
Ephesians 6:10-18
"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."Colossians 3:1-17
Lord, let me not be on fire for the things of this world, but to face them in such a way as to glorify you. Would you, by your Holy Spirit, never cease to fuel the flames of passion that leads to action on those matters which we face on earth that are near and dear to your heart?
Put to death that which is of the flesh, and mold my life after your will, may it be shaped by the love for you to which we have been called.
Create in me a hopeful heart, to wait in anticipation of your return. Occupy my life with your service, and by your grace, let me be found faithful on that glorious day.
"And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires."
Galatians 5:24
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,"
Ephesians 6:10-18
"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming. In these you too once walked, when you were living in them. But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him."Colossians 3:1-17
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