08 Aug
Why We Fight
From Wikipedia, "Why We Fight is a series of seven propaganda films commissioned by the United States government during World War II to demonstrate to American soldiers the reason for U.S. involvement in the war." I do hate that they used Koran and other false books in this film, but it is made by a government. What can I expect? Anyways, despite some grievances I have with the film, I do think that this propaganda film was a good idea. In order to encourage the citizens to enlist in the armed forces, the reason for the war needs to be made clear.
You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. (2Timothy 2:3-4)
Many church-goers (like me sometimes) today fail to understand that we are literally in a war. They know it in their head, but their behaviors don't show it. I've been guilty of this myself. However, the Scripture corrects us by saying that each of us "must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ". Many of us have the idea that as we trust in God's grace, this war will be a piece of cake. No! His Word clearly says that there will be "hardship"! Otherwise it would not be a war, would it?
WHY do we need to be enlisted? Remember in 2Timothy chapter 2, Paul was talking about being enlisted as a soldier, whose entire focus is on the warfare and he(she) does not care about anything else (2Timothy 2:3-4, quoted above). At the conclusion of this passage, the Scripture declares:
Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. (2Timothy 2:10)
The US fought for freedom in World War II. So why do WE (citizens of Kingdom of God) fight? We must fight so that "they also may obtain the salvation". How do we do this fighting? Obviously it has to do with salvation for the lost. What kind of weapons do we need for this?
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. (Romans 1:16)
The warfare is about spreading this Gospel because it is the power of God to salvation! But why is this called a fight (which involves hardship)? If you have no clue, perhaps you never had the burden to share the Gospel with people. It is hard! It goes against our flesh that says "I don't want to look like some religious freaks! I want to fit in!".
For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (Romans 10:12-15)
One preacher said, "We Christians too often substitute prayer for playing the game. Prayer is good; but when used as a substitute for obedience, it is nothing but a blatant hypocrisy, a despicable Pharisaism! To your knees, man! and to your Bible! Decide at once! Don't hedge! Time flies! Cease your insults to God, quit consulting flesh and blood. Stop your lame, lying, and cowardly excuses. Enlist!" (Pastor Sandy Shaw)
I have been guilty of only being willing to pray for some unsaved people. Sadly, there have been times I did not act as a soldier for Christ. What is required of a soldier? Obedience, courage, and zeal for victory.
When it comes to movies, I tend to like historical war movies. I see in those movies how soldiers (by this I include marines, sailors, etc) did not "entangle themselves with with the affairs of this life" (2Timothy 2:3). Well, in a war situation, there is no time for anything else! When I think of the Scripture and our Lord telling us to act like soldiers for the Lord, I think of brave officers who stand up in the midst of enemy fire and say "March!" (see the clip below). You and I must get out of the comfortable ditch, stand up, and march because we've been enlisted and because "How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (Romans 10:15)".
In the clip above, one officer exclaimed "they're getting killed out there!" Due to mankind's own sins, many are dying in this world. We must cultivate compassion for them now and here. For "For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before Me, saith the LORD, so shall your seed and your name remain. And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before Me, saith the LORD. And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against Me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh. (Isaiah 66:22-24)." I believe Isaiah is prophesying that those in the presence of the Lord (Heaven) will have a chance to look at those who are in the lake of fire (hell). I, for one, do not want to think "I wish I would have told that person about their sins, God's judgments, and the Gospel when I had the chance!" when I see them in the lake of fire.
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