For almost three years I have been conducting an unscientific, informal survey.I have been asking fellow Christians two questions.Do you think the world perceives Christians as being strong or weak? The answer, without exception, has always been the same - weak.Why does the world think Christians are weak? This answer varies but is usually tied to the basic tenets of Christianity.Those tenets include love, forgiveness, gentleness, meekness, kindness, generosity and the like.These traits are considered lame and a sign of weakness to many secular people when it appeared to them something much stronger was called for.The second most common answer to this question is tied to the personal failure of Christians and their leaders.These answers include the sexual sin, corruption and other actions that are considered personal failures.Christians are Weak?The notion that Christians are weak, in spite of all the strong promises the Bible gives the believer, is deeply disturbing, and it drives me nuts.It seems to me the world should be shaking in fear when they consider the Christian for each one stands not only with God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, but also with all the powers of heaven at their disposal.This article is not about judging weak Christians - "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3.23) This is about strength.It is a call to action to a different way of thinking and viewing the world, then interacting with it.The Final Quest, a great little book by Rick Joyner, depicts Christians in the last days trudging along, slumped over with oppression and shame from demons riding on their back for so long they act as though it is normal - seemingly oblivious to the knowledge of Ephesians 6.Ephesians 6.10-18 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.".These verses indicate we are in a constant struggle.Lt.Colonel Dave Grossman, author of On Combat, writes. "If you have no capacity for violence then you are a healthy productive citizen, a sheep.If you have a capacity for violence and no empathy for your fellow citizens, then you have defined an aggressive sociopath, a wolf.But what if you have a capacity for violence, and a deep love for your fellow citizens? What do you have then? A sheepdog, a warrior, someone who is walking the hero's path.Someone who can walk into the heart of darkness, into the universal human phobia, and walk out unscathed.".The Sheepdog is the person who naturally walks towards trouble instead of running from it.The Christian Sheepdog is one who also understands that evil on this earth is usually manifested in and through people at the prompting of Satan.This person is also savvy to the fact that evil understands only one thing - an overwhelming amount of force.There are many well-meaning evangelical leaders who preach passivity in the face of any violence, and there are many Christians who agree with this theology.I will respectfully disagree on this point.My personal opinion, which I believe is validated by Scripture, is that the intent of verses containing instructions such as "turn the other cheek" and "put your swords away" are specifically directed toward behavior we are to emulate when being persecuted in the name of Jesus.This, of course, stands in stark contrast to the divine violence Jesus used when He dealt with Satan.It also contradicts other verses in the Bible.There are acts committed by human beings that can only be ascribed to evil.The notion of turning the other cheek while a loved one is being beaten, raped or stabbed is not what these verses refer to.The Bible is clear that Christians should come against evil wherever they find it.In Romans 13, it is clear that God designed a system, and people within it, to be agents of wrath bringing punishment on the wrongdoer.There is no suggestion of wrongdoing being met with passivity in these verses.Romans 13.1-4 "Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.The authorities that exist have been established by God.Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong.Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you.For he is God's servant to do you good.But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing.He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.".Ephesians 6 tells us that we are in a war.How would passivity work as an effective tactic in a war?Ephesians 6.12 "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.".Someone Is Trying To Kill Me?1 Peter 5 is like a neon sign flashing in front of our faces.Satan is trying to kill us.Passivity with Satan? Let's take this one step further.Satan does not usually appear personally to do his dirty work.He uses people to do it.As an extreme example, consider Hitler.We can probably all agree Hitler's actions were prompted by Satan, who was working evil and manifesting himself through Hitler.Passivity? I don't think so.1 Peter 5.8 "Be self-controlled and alert.Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.".• Self-controlled. Control or restraint of oneself or one's actions and feelings.• Alert. Fully aware and attentive, wide-awake, keen; swift, agile, nimble, an attitude of vigilance, readiness or caution before an expected attack.• Enemy. A person who feels hatred toward, fosters harmful designs against, or engages in antagonistic activities against another, an adversary or opponent.An armed foe.• Evil. The supreme spirit of evil, a subordinate evil spirit at enmity with God, and having the power to afflict human beings with both bodily disease and spiritual corruption.• Prowls. To rove or go about stealthily, as in search of prey, something to steal, etc.• Roaring Lion. Characterized by noisy, disorderly behavior, boisterous and riotous.Lions are powerful animals that usually hunt in coordinated groups and stalk their chosen prey.They sneak up to the victim until they reach a distance of approximately 30 meters (98 ft) or less.The attack is short and powerful; they attempt to catch the victim with a fast rush and final leap.• Devour. To swallow or eat up hungrily, voraciously or ravenously, to consume destructively.John 10 is talking about Satan and referring to him as a thief, then goes on to describe his mission - to kill and destroy.Do you think when John wrote this he was just being dramatic to make a point? No.He was describing what Satan does.John 10.10 "(Jesus said) The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.".• Thief. A person who steals something from another.• Only. Exclusively, solely, without anything further.• Kill. To put to death, to deprive of life, to put an end to, to extinguish, to destroy a vitally essential quality, to cause to cease operating, to turn off, to tire out completely, to exhaust.• Destroy. To ruin completely; spoil, to tear down or break up, to demolish, to do away with, to put an end to.To kill, to subdue or defeat completely, to crush, to render useless or ineffective.In Matthew 10, Jesus is giving the disciples their marching orders.He describes the believer as sheep in the midst of wolves.Should sheep be passive around the wolf?Matthew 10.16 "Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves.Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.".Onward Christian Soldier.Most of the Christians I know believe we are living in the End Times.This is also reflected by current writing, commentary and talk coming out of the mainstream evangelical community at large.If we review what the Bible indicates through prophecy, and specifically what Jesus said about the End Times, we would have to come to the conclusion that things will become worse, not better, as we approach the Tribulation and the end of this Age.Many people take comfort in the belief that God will rapture Christians out of here when it gets rough.However, even respected experts from many denominations who have spent their lives studying these matters cannot agree on the timing of the rapture.And God is not telling us.Others believe God will supernaturally protect them like He did the Israelites when God brought the plagues upon Pharaoh.This thinking is faulty to a great degree.Was David spared of Saul? Was Moses spared of griping people and trying to manage survival in a desert? Was Joseph spared prison? Were the disciples spared prison and persecution? Look at your own life as a Christian.Have you been spared every problem, heartache and challenge just because you are a Christian? God gives people strength and supernatural provision to get through things, and He does spare life.I know this.I should be dead.But He does not remove all the difficulties.This leads me back to what Jesus said about the End Times.One of the things that need to happen is for government to practice ungodly control and direction.Some would make a strong case that there has been a slow, steady decline in government character and integrity for years.This is pre-empted by ungodly principles being played out in all types of relationships.This is happening now.Yet, most Christians sit on the sidelines and do nothing about it.If you do not have the courage, desire, passion or obedience to confront the ungodly relations around you, how do you expect to feed yourself or your family if you do not take the mark of the beast? What will you do if you find yourself in a war-zone? This may be hard to believe if you live in America.But the reality brought to us by the financial crises should have taught us things can change overnight.Have you thought about how you will handle the betrayal you might experience at the hands of friends and family? How about your own children rebelling against you and having you put to death?Most Christians have not given this any thought.Therein lays the problem, and the motivation to write this article and a book about it.Most Christians agree we are in the End Times and logically agree things will get progressively worse, yet have given no thought as to how they will deal with them.In fact, when I look at the petty, backbiting differences between Christians and I compare that pettiness to how the Body of Christ is supposed to function, I can make a strong case for the Church living through some tough stuff.Why? Because you and I may disagree, even argue, about theological differences that might mean a lot to us but little to God.However, if you and I are stuck on an elevator or trapped in a burning building, I doubt we will be arguing theology.We will quickly agree to pray together and work together to get out.This type of pressure for survival is a great equalizer.I see no reason God would not use it to unite the Body.The alternative is that the Holy Spirit moves so powerfully that we all just wake up one day and get along.It's possible but unlikely."But wait!" you say."Why can't I just die if things get ugly and go to heaven?" After all, the Bible also says we are supposed to fear nothing and have no anxiety about anything, and assures us that nothing can separate us from the love of God.All these things are true.You can do nothing, suffer and die, and reap rewards in heaven based on your relationship with Jesus.But if God created and wired you to be a Christian Sheepdog, this will never happen.You will fight for the privilege to stay alive in an effort to bring others to the kingdom of God through your influence, prayers and actions.Jude is a Call to Action.I do not think it was an accident that the book of Jude comes right before the book of Revelation in the Bible.Jude is a call to action, and as you may notice, it comes right before a graphic description of the end of this Age and the triumphant return of Jesus.Jude was the brother of Jesus.In his opening greeting, he acknowledges that he was eager to write about salvation but felt compelled to write and urge us to contend for the faith.What does this mean? Jude was driven to encourage all believers to forcefully struggle and fight for the faith - that being the truth of the Bible and salvation.Jude 1.22-23 "Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear - hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.".When we investigate the original Greek definitions of these words, this verse could be paraphrased as follows."Reach out and act immediately with deep-seated emotion to those who doubt; quickly yank and seize others from dangerous situations and do so immediately, continuously and in an unending fashion.Show compassion, kindness, forgiveness and clemency to those who are in distress and offenders who are within your power, mixed with a strong dose of knowing you are dealing with something that is life threatening - having a radical, violent aversion to sinful attitudes and behavior that have the potential to permeate and penetrate people's lives.".Within most of us there is a hard-wired instinct to fight for our own survival and for those we love.Throughout history rugged defenders have gone to war, built walls, battled hand-to-hand and endured incredible circumstances to protect nations from harm.Likewise, individuals have fought for their families and loved ones with total abandonment, amazing courage and incredible commitment.Our survival instinct is strong.We defend things that are most precious to us.It is how God created us.The Essence of Evil.Biblical prophecy is coming to pass before our eyes.Although it may not be the primary threat to the American Church, radical Islamic Jihad is dead set against Israel, the Jewish people, Christians and Democracy.There are too many corrupt, inept or ineffective politicians who are serving their own self-interests instead of truly serving those who elected them.Criminals show little remorse for the victims they prey upon.The common man or woman will lie to their friends, cheat on their taxes, steal from their employers, beat their significant others, neglect their children, or commit adultery all while rationalizing their behavior.And most Christians just lean against the wall, watching it all unfold.These desires are evil in nature.Evil is promoted by Satan.Evil does not respond to the basic tenants of Christianity. love, forgiveness, mercy, grace, generosity and kindness.Rather, evil takes advantage of these things.Evil will manipulate these things for its own self-serving purposes.Evil understands only one thing - an overwhelming amount of power.This is a spiritual and physical principle.Those of you who have ever tried to give direction or negotiate with a person influenced by evil should understand this clearly.Jesus dealt with evil spirits by divine violence.He never negotiated or offered mercy.Nor did He have lengthy discussions with them.He commanded them.There is evil violence in this world which is manifested through people.There is divine violence available to the Christian to deal with it.Do you know the difference?The Book of Jude.Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and a brother of James, To those who have been called, who are loved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ. Mercy, peace and love be yours in abundance.Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God's holy people.For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you.They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.Though you already know all this, I want to remind you that the Lord at one time delivered his people out of Egypt, but later destroyed those who did not believe.And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling-these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.In a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding towns gave themselves up to sexual immorality and perversion.They serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire.In the very same way, on the strength of their dreams these ungodly people pollute their own bodies, reject authority and heap abuse on celestial beings.But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, "The Lord rebuke you!" Yet these people slander whatever they do not understand, and the very things they do understand by instinct-as irrational animals do-will destroy them.Woe to them! They have taken the way of.Cain; they have rushed for profit into Balaam's error; they have been destroyed in Korah's rebellion.These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm- shepherds who feed only themselves.They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted-twice dead.They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever.Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied about them. "See, the Lord is coming with thousands upon thousands of his holy ones to judge everyone, and to convict all of them of all the ungodly acts they have committed in their ungodliness, and of all the defiant words ungodly sinners have spoken against him." These people are grumblers and faultfinders; they follow their own evil desires; they boast about themselves and flatter others for their own advantage.But, dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold.They said to you, "In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires." These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear-hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh.To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy- to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
0 comments:
Post a Comment