We are at War!

(Revelation 12:7) “Now war arose in heaven…”

From an early age we are all conditioned to except adversity, it is a reality we all come to grips with through life. No one likes the idea of war, unless you are some radical fundamentalist. And let’s face it, which of us has time for radicals? I think about the tragedy of the Twin Towers in New York, I remember the day clearly, in fact it is one of my few clear memories; it was a day I sat engross in Matthew chapter 24 trying to arrive at a deeper understanding about what the layout of the land would look like when the Lord returned to fetch His bride, the church. I was looking for the answers to the “pre, mid or post Rapture”. I was seriously seeking biblical clues to help me prepare for battle. It was sometime during my study that my phone rang with Juks my good friend and brother in Christ on the line and he immediately asked me, “are you seeing this”! There was a tone of disbelief to his voice. So I hurriedly flip on the TV. I was thousands of miles away as I witness live television about some madmen that had flown an aeroplane, not any aircraft, but a commercial flight filled with passengers into one of the towers. It just didn’t seem to make sense! But what later unfolded was inexplicable; as I gaze at the TV screen I saw another plane in shot and it seemed to be on a collision course with the other tower, then it happened, it flew straight into and through the tower! Immediately my mind was filled with disbelief, however I had physically witness the event and tragically it was true, a terrorist attack on America had succeeded. A radical fundamentalist group had achieved what they had set out to do. This event caused much pain and suffering for the citizens of the USA, and especially those who lost loved ones. The whole world grieved with them. No matter how one cuts this disaster, it was an act of WAR.

My point is this; we all find something we are willing to die for, now some rational is totally without any coherent logic. People strap bombs onto their chests and commit suicide, it is a fact! We may think them mad and yet they believe in their cause and do exactly that, regardless of what we think. They are extreme fundamentalists (a religious or political movement based on a literal interpretation of and strict adherence to doctrine, especially as a return to former principles)!

Should the Christian fall under this classification? Should we be classed as extreme fundamentalists? We better be! If not, we may need to check our birth certificate. Now before I am misunderstood, let me make it very clear, we are to be fundamental when it comes to sound doctrine and not our own man-centred ideas. We are at war and the battle is fierce, it was never meant to be a frivolous engagement. Look at what the Lord Jesus had to endure; He died a cruel Roman death nailed to a tree. If that isn’t extreme then I am not sure if we have a correct understanding on our calling.

I am weak in application to this call, the call God has called every believer too, but while I have breath I will by the grace of God have hope. I will seek out His grace in time of need to endure this fierce battle. I may fail more often then I like, but so long as He is in my corner I will press toward the mark of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus my Lord. If we have His Spirit, we are reassured of this truth; "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5)

Our battle is not to strap bombs to our chest and the like, but we have been called to come out from amongst them. This is a serious consideration that every child of God must arrive at. Do we often overlook some of God’s instruction?

“Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, "I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty." (2Corinthians 6:14-18)

“1. In stated relations. It is wrong for good people to join in affinity with the wicked and profane; these will draw different ways, and that will be galling and grievous. Those relations that are our choice must be chosen by rule; and it is good for those who are themselves the children of God to join with those who are so likewise; for there is more danger that the bad will damage the good than hope that the good will benefit the bad.

2. In common conversation. We should not yoke ourselves in friendship and acquaintance with wicked men and unbelievers. Though we cannot wholly avoid seeing, and hearing, and being with such, yet we should never choose them for our bosom-friends.

3. Much less should we join in religious communion with them; we must not join with them in their idolatrous services, nor concur with them in their false worship, nor any abominations; we must not confound together the table of the Lord and the table of devils, the house of God and the house of Rimmon. The apostle gives several good reasons against this corrupt mixture.” (Matthew Henry)

If we apply this type of behaviour as we should, does it not makes us fundamental? It sure does! Nevertheless God requires it from us. If not, why then have we receive such clear instruction. You decide! Every instruction that comes from the Holy Scriptures has been set out for our well-being. We must never second guess God’s wisdom, for if we do it will be at our own peril. I have but highlighted one portion of scripture as I believe we tend to overlook so many helpful instructions, and this is one of them.  

We are at war, no differently to the angels in heaven. There will be a day when the battle will come to an end, but until then, may we be reminded to put on the full armour of God. May we remind one another about this on-going battle, we are at war!

Signing off

Tyrone