The Battle

 The Battle

2Timothy 2:4  No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

If we were going to war we would not allow the things of this world to distract us. And, in our more modern thinking, we would not likely be concerned with pleasing the one who chose us for any army. However, one can see the intent of this statement just the same, “Please God with your life since it is God who chose you to become one of His own.” He chose you.

                We get so caught up with the things in this world, never really understanding their temporal nature. The Apostle John saw it almost 2000 years ago; I John 2:15-16 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. (v.16) For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. Everything around us is temporary and has no lasting purpose or value. We live in a spiritual universe, not physical. It is the spiritual which will continue not the physical. We put so much value on the things we see, striving to attain, working to gain more, finding ways to preserve or retain more “things”. When, in reality, it is the spiritual realm around us that actually matters. We are a brief physical manifestation in an eternal spiritual realm. The primary focus should be our eternal souls. But instead, we hold feverishly to our bank accounts, our public image, the status we have in society and all the possessions we have amassed, never pausing to consider that in a single moment of time it will all vanish.

                Our focus must become our relationship with God. The verse we cited above mentions soldiers. Timothy assumes first that we are members of God’s army, that we are born again children of God*. The children of God are the soldiers that Paul makes reference to in this verse. Too many of us become sons of God and then choose to stay home and not join in with the army of God. It is not a separate enlistment. When one becomes a child of God they are automatically enlisted in his army. Sadly, many of God’s soldiers choose to stay home and not join in the battle. God is warring for the souls of men. He is trying to save as many as possible before the end while a large part of his own army remains “encamped” at home in the comforts of this physical world.

                We must learn to focus on the battle. Paul told Timothy our war, our fight, must be one in which we are free from the affairs of this life. Our focus should be the souls of men, they are eternal. Every person we see will one day stand (or kneel) in the presence of God. The only question is whether they kneel as born-again believers at the Judgment Seat of Christ or as condemned souls at the Great White Throne. 

As Christians, our current concern seems to be more about maintaining other’s friendships and affections today in the few short years we share in this physical realm. We are in a battle for their souls. Release the hold of worldly affections and do everything possible to get them under the sound of the Gospel. Yes, it may cause us to lose their companionship today. But, if they finally, somewhere in life, meet Christ because of our testimony would the loss of their friendship today be too great a price to pay? The eternal gratitude of a redeemed soul will be of far greater value than anything this world offers.

                We are in a great spiritual battle and the only things which are eternal are the souls of our family, friends and acquaintances here. Turn your eyes to the battlefield and become one that the Father can be glad he chose for the fight. Be the soldier God has called you to be. Don’t be timid or shy. We must all come to the place in our Christian life where we can say with Paul, “… I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16).

                Get in the battle “that (you) may please him who hath chosen (you) to be a soldier.”

 

 *If you have not been born again then stop here please and read: http://christxalted.blogspot.com/2016/01/how-to-be-born-again.html)

WHAT TO DO WITH KNOWLEDGE

 

WHAT TO DO WITH KNOWLEDGE

                        When something in the Word of God suddenly becomes real to you, when the reality of that truth is almost paralyzing as you see it materializing in the real-world around you, what do you do?

                        Recently a friend asked if I would take the time to watch a video he had come across. That is certainly not uncommon. Most of us understand that when we see or hear things that prick us in the heart, whether by fear or fascination, we are prone to share them with those we are close to. And so, knowing he was one who truly wants to walk with Christ, I felt the video might be well worth my interest. And it was. This is not an alarmist conspiracy theory alert, so please continue reading.

                        When I was only a few years old in our Lord, having been saved only 2-3 years earlier, I was introduced to the Illuminati. Fear and the desire to expose this entity was all-the-rage at that time. Most religious groups who spoke of the end times would focus their efforts on exposing them. Early on, I was shown the pyramid symbol on our dollar bill and heard about their infiltration into our governing bodies. That was some 45 years ago. Since that time, it has all but vanished from the pulpits. Other issues have taken their place. Did they go away? Are they no longer a concern?

                        In my first pastorate, a friend and member of our church explained he had once been a freemason. He gave it up after receiving Christ as his Savior. However, he did want me to have his copy of the freemason handbook he had been given to study. I took it home and read it voraciously. I learned it did not matter to the freemasons which god you worshipped since every country they were in had their own god. Clearly, freemasonry was not Christian. At the best it might have been called theistic. So, I understood why he felt the need to leave the freemasons behind.

                        In watching the video I had been given, these things (and others more terrifying) were brought to light and tied together. I began to understand the connection they all had. The speaker on the video was trying to help people understand that these entities were tied together and running the governments of this world. And he was right. I believe almost every word of what he said.

                        I closed the video. I sat and thought. I wondered at all I had heard. But…I was not at all surprised. I have long known as I am sure many of you know, Satan is in control of this world. Does it matter which form he takes? It is good to always remember this world is in Satan’s control. But we never need to fear that fact, because God is always in control of the end results. He will be the victor and He will reign supreme. So, what do we do with the knowledge?

                        First, watch its growth and expanse as the years go by and take heart as we see it fulfilling the prophecies of God. God said evil would fill this world again just at it did in the days of Lot and Noah. In Noah’s day God could only find one family to save. Evil will fill every government in this world. As it gets closer to that mark, WE GET CLOSER TO HOME. Find encouragement that fact, not fear.

                        Second, get off your stump. We do not need to focus on learning all about Satan’s methods and tactics. We need to fulfill the command of Christ, “And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled” (Luke 14:23). I know the first response will be that the lost need to see the danger. However, let me offer this example:

                        You are facing someone who has an immediate life threating danger directly behind them. They do not see it. You are about to scream out to them the need they have to take your hand for   rescue before they die. Will you say, “please quickly take my hand you are about to die?” Or will you try to spend the next thirty minutes explaining what is behind them knowing they might possibly slip and fall into it at any moment. Really it does not matter if it is fire, a spear about to be thrust into them, a vat of deadly acid or a pit of vipers, they just need to be saved from the danger. Warn them and offer them Jesus.  

                        Today’s horrific political environment should motivate us to win the lost at any cost. Understand the dangers without becoming entangled in them but preach Christ and Christ crucified for sin.