ONWARD, CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS!
Our battle is to break down every deceptive argument and every imposing defense that men erect against the true knowledge of God. We fight to capture every thought until it acknowledges the authority of Christ. 2 Cor. 10:5, Phillips.
I cringe whenever I hear the newscasters from Belfast or Beirut identifying the various warring factions as "Christians," "Protestants" and "Catholics." I wonder if the average listener simply assumes that Christians are in favor of killing fellow human beings as a means of settling differences. Through the ages, however, Christians often have used military means for advancing supposedly spiritual causes. It's not surprising that people would not be jarred to hear "The Christian militia today set off a car bomb, killing twenty-five civilians in a Beirut suburb."
Much of the imagery we use in our hymns and in our sermons, however, is based on military metaphors. We have sung for decades "Onward, Christian Soldiers! Marching as to war." While it is definitely true that we are in a battle against principalities and powers, against spiritual wickedness in high places, it is just as true that the weapons of our warfare have nothing to do with compulsion. And the victories gained never leave a reluctantly conquered foe. As Paul said, "Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion" (2 Cor. 9:7, R.S.V.).
Paul is one who had learned the awesome, life-changing power of truth--truth that brings one the knowledge of God as He really is. He used this weapon throughout his ministry and was constantly gratified by its power to bring about the desired changes in people's lives. We never would have heard Paul simply commanding people to submit to his authority or to bow to his position of power over them.
Christians who resort to any form of force or coercion when seeking changes in their fellow humans simply have not tasted the immense power available to them through the presentation of truth. Parents who seek simply to control their children, or husbands who demand unthinking submission of their wives are revealing how little they know about God's methods for accomplishing change in another's life. They must reflect God's goal of having a people in whose hearts the principles of His law have been written.
When Jesus leads His redeemed through the gates of the New Jerusalem there will be no chains, no forced smiles. They will be gladly, freely, following the Master whom they know and love.
Our battle is to break down every deceptive argument and every imposing defense that men erect against the true knowledge of God. We fight to capture every thought until it acknowledges the authority of Christ. 2 Cor. 10:5, Phillips.
I cringe whenever I hear the newscasters from Belfast or Beirut identifying the various warring factions as "Christians," "Protestants" and "Catholics." I wonder if the average listener simply assumes that Christians are in favor of killing fellow human beings as a means of settling differences. Through the ages, however, Christians often have used military means for advancing supposedly spiritual causes. It's not surprising that people would not be jarred to hear "The Christian militia today set off a car bomb, killing twenty-five civilians in a Beirut suburb."
Much of the imagery we use in our hymns and in our sermons, however, is based on military metaphors. We have sung for decades "Onward, Christian Soldiers! Marching as to war." While it is definitely true that we are in a battle against principalities and powers, against spiritual wickedness in high places, it is just as true that the weapons of our warfare have nothing to do with compulsion. And the victories gained never leave a reluctantly conquered foe. As Paul said, "Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion" (2 Cor. 9:7, R.S.V.).
Paul is one who had learned the awesome, life-changing power of truth--truth that brings one the knowledge of God as He really is. He used this weapon throughout his ministry and was constantly gratified by its power to bring about the desired changes in people's lives. We never would have heard Paul simply commanding people to submit to his authority or to bow to his position of power over them.
Christians who resort to any form of force or coercion when seeking changes in their fellow humans simply have not tasted the immense power available to them through the presentation of truth. Parents who seek simply to control their children, or husbands who demand unthinking submission of their wives are revealing how little they know about God's methods for accomplishing change in another's life. They must reflect God's goal of having a people in whose hearts the principles of His law have been written.
When Jesus leads His redeemed through the gates of the New Jerusalem there will be no chains, no forced smiles. They will be gladly, freely, following the Master whom they know and love.
RSS Feed
