The scene: A bunker on the front lines. Artillery shells are exploding all around. Machine-guns lay down a blanket of tracer rounds overhead. The drone of enemy dive-bombers is increasing in pitch. A fully equipped soldier cowers, sniveling at the feet of his superior officer saying, “Captain, they keep shooting at me. Please make them stop!”
Have you seen the movie? Probably not.
After all, war movies are about war. Soldiers know they are at war, and they expect to be shot at, because that is what war is all about. Yet, how many times do I play the part of the sniveling soldier? The apostle Peter writes,
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. (1 Peter 4:12-13)
We are at war. We have an enemy who is hell-bent on destroying us because we belong to Christ, nothing personal about it. He even seeks to destroy those that don’t yet belong to Christ, simply because they are made in the image of God. And he hates God. Why does it amaze me that he and his minions would shoot at me. And if he can’t “take me out”, he will be content to keep me neutralized, cowering in my foxhole. The last thing he wants is for me to engage him in battle. He knows the power I have at my disposal.
For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. (2 Corinthians 10:4-5)
I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. (Ephesians 1:18-21)
The question is, do I know the power I have at my disposal? Oh yes, I can quote the verses above, and others. But do I know it not just in my mind, but in my heart? What will it take to convince me of the power I have to oppose the enemy, not just on my own behalf, but also on the behalf of others? What will it take to “encourage” me?
I think it is largely a question of focus. On what do I focus the thoughts of my heart and mind? Think of Peter, as he was walking towards Jesus out on the troubled waters of the Sea of Galilee. He did fine as long as he kept his focus on Jesus. Once he began to focus on the angry waves, he began to sink. Is that my problem too?
Do I keep my focus on Jesus, who has defeated the enemy already? Or do I become distracted by the noise of battle around me and allow it to unnerve me? A big part of maintaining an intentionally-biblical world-view is to remain cognizant of the truth. The truth is that Jesus has already defeated the enemy. Eternal life is mine, now, not just after I die. Eternity is now, and Satan’s head has already been crushed under Christ’s heel. I don’t need to cower in fear. I am on the winning side!
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. (Hebrews 12:2-3)
I used to have a bumper sticker that read, “I know the future … God wins!” I need to remember that. In the passage above, the word “perfecter” could also be translated “finisher” or “completer”. It is done, in eternity, and I am in eternity now, so I can live according to that truth. As Jesus said from the cross, “It is finished!” Though in this life, I am still bound by time, I know I have been purchased for eternity, and I can choose to live with an eternal perspective. A biblical world-view is by definition an eternal perspective.
Therefore, I need to gird myself with this knowledge as I face life each day, not fearing the battles to come, but preparing myself for them.
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.
With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. (Ephesians 6:10-18)
We often quote those verses from Ephesians, but I think we too-often miss that last sentence. I need to remain alert to the reality about me, not just the physical reality, but the spiritual reality. I need to recognize that the spiritual is far more real than I think, and the stakes are much higher. As that sinks in, I could become frightened, like Peter out on the waves, or I could remember who I serve and turn my eyes on Him.
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
Now we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. (2 Corinthians 4:16 – 5:1)
Though the stakes are high, the reward is already in place. I have a place in eternity. I have a home in heaven. The worse thing the enemy can do to me will only make that reward more real to me.
The way to keep my eyes on Jesus is to remain in prayer and fellowship with Him. This must be an intentional act, but will become more “natural” the longer I practice it. In prayer and fellowship I need to worship Him, remembering who He is, and what He has done, and how much He cares for me and for those around me. As that truth sinks in, it will be easier to appropriate the joy and peace He has already given.
Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phiippians 4:4-7)
In fact, as I practice worshipping in His presence, all of the fruit described in Galatians 5 and elsewhere, will begin to flow from me as evidence of His presence in me. That alone is a death knell to the enemy. When the fruit of God’s Spirit pours from my life, it affects those around me, and ushers them into the presence of God Himself. In His presence, they will be free from the harassment the enemy uses to enslave and blind them to the love and mercy and grace so freely offered them.
Therefore, let me resolve continually to be bold and courageous in battle, not because I am strong, but because I serve one who is strong. Let me remember who the real enemy is; it is not those around me. Rather, let me resolve to do battle for my Lord, under His command, in His power, and for His glory.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. (Ephesians 3:20-21)