Lovers and Fighters Part 2

  “I’m a lover, not a fighter”…you’ve probably heard this common phrase a number of times in your life, maybe even meant sincerely, but most often used by someone who doesn’t want to soil themselves, or get themselves into a situation where they might get hurt.  Of course we in the modern day church have seemed to aquiesce to the same sentiment in general, and I’m not talking about using our fists or taking up arms here. There is a war on a much grander scale that the Bible talks about and that has been going on since time began, and it involves two invisible kingdoms, fighting to the death over the souls of mankind, you and I.
  The fact that many in the church are either blind or choose to ignore this war doesn’t make it go away or less relevant. In fact, this just affirms the very real effects of it, and some of the enemy’s stratagies against us. He lulls us to sleep, and he keeps us in a fog, for if we don’t recognise there is a war or an enemy, well we aren’t going to be fighting one, are we?
  We don’t have the option as followers of Christ, to be lovers or fighters. We are to be both lovers and fighters. For we are caught up in a sacred romance with the King of kings, aspiring to love Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength, and aspiring to love our neighbour as ourself (Mark 12:30,31) and Jesus said there is no greater commandment that these. And we are in a world at war, behind enemy lines so to speak (I John 5:19), and there are hearts we must fight for. We fight for the heart of our King, who calls us to follow after him, and who leads us in triumphal procession (2 Cor. 2:14), we fight for our own heart (Prov. 4:23), and we fight for the hearts of others (Prov. 24:11, Jude:23). We fight for, and because of love, for the love of Christ compels us and we no longer regard anyone from a worldly point of view (2 Cor. 5:14,16).
  We all, everyone of us who calls themself a christian, have a crucial role in this story. I challenge and encourage you to start seeing yourself as a passionate lover and a valiant fighter. As you do, your life will change dramatically. It will take on a new meaning, as you have never known, but were always meant to. A warning here, this will change your life, and your whole view of life and the world you live in, and especially your part in it all. Of course it will be contested, and as it is a fight, you must be ready for a fight. The enemy won’t just sit back and let his worst fears be realized, that you begin to know who you are in Christ, and start shining like a star in the universe (Phil.2:15). This is not the safest way to live at all, but it’s life, and this is the story, one in which you have a critical role, as a true follower of Jesus, as a lover and a fighter.

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~ by sealionrob on May 12, 2010.