Marching Orders

by J. L. Thompson

Root Canal Faith

Did you really think this Christian gig would be a walk in the park? Nobody promised that following Christ would be a piece of cake, and now in this post-Christian age, living for him is about as popular as getting a root canal. Apostle Peter made the possibility of taking flack for Christ perfectly clear: 1 Peter 3:13-17 ESV (13) Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? (14) But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, (15) but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, (16) having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. (17) For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be God's will, than for doing evil. Peter addressed the churchs most pressing need, as the saints in those days could see persecutions dark clouds on the horizon. Between this, and Jesus command to acknowledge him before men, we have our marching orders. Matthew 10:27-33 ESV (27) What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. (28) And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. (29) Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. (30) But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. (31) Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. (32) So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, (33) but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. The New Testament consistently warns us about the danger of openly proclaiming our allegiance to Christ, but even more, the danger of denying him in the face of adversity. Yet, Gods word does not leave us defenseless: Ephesians 6:10-18 ESV (10) Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. (11) Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (12) For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (13) Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the

evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. (14) Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, (15) and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. (16) In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; (17) and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, (18) praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, Though the terms are symbolic, the danger isnt. We face warfare of unprecedented intensity. Our only way to meet and overcome our enemies is to face them in the power of Gods Holy Spirit, with Gods armor in place and his gifts fully engaged.

Know Your Enemy

The church is about as ready for battle as a battalion of toy soldiers. Most of us hold our swords only when going to church, read but a few verses a day in some canned devotional, and couldnt answer a hostile challenge to our faith if our lives depended upon it. Whats worse, we dont even know our true enemies, and they are legion. Speaking of enemies, the greatest threat we face is the one we see in a mirror. When we view ourselves in any way but through the eyes of faith, we can easily become over confident from conceit, or impotent from fear. For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned. (Romans 12:3 ESV) One of the first things we learn when we come to the Lord is about our liberty in Christ. Both Paul and Peter made that fact perfectly clear throughout their letters to the churches, but despite their careful explanations, the brethren, both then and now, have always tried to spin that teaching to satisfy the flesh. Galatians 5:13-14 ESV For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (14) For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." 1 Peter 2:16 ESV Live as people who are free, not using your freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. 2 Peter 2:17-19 ESV (speaking of false teacherstelevangelists?) These are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved. (18) For, speaking loud boasts of folly, they entice by sensual passions of the flesh those who are barely escaping from those who live in error. (19) They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption. For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. Our freedom in Christ is a wonderful thing, but it doesnt include permission to pursue the works of the flesh. Galatians 5:19-21 ESV Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, (20) idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, (21) envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. Given a rule, any reasonably resourceful scum-bag is able to legally circumvent it. So, while that list seems fairly comprehensive, it certainly is not intended to be used as a rule book of specific no-nos in

the church. Instead, we must view it as the very tip of an iceberg of fleshly works, a list of principles that our love for Christ and his blood-bought ones will keep us from violating.

The Devil Made Me Do It

Though Flip Wilson popularized his Geraldine routine a generation ago, countless Christians buy into the same lie today. In their attack on traditional morality, the liberated entertainment media now makes Flips routines seem like a Sunday school quarterly. The devil cant make anyone do wrong. What follows is the truth of the matter. Mark 7:20-23 ESV (20) And he said, "What comes out of a person is what defiles him. (21) For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, (22) coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. (23) All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person." Pop Christianity identifies our enemy as Satan, and treats the perpetual battle between good and evil as a struggle between Satan and Gods Son Jesus, as though the two are equal combatants and the outcome teeters in the balance. But Gods word shoots down that weak-kneed theory. 1 John 4:4 ESV Little children, you are from God and have overcome them(those who speak for the spirit of the antichrist), for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. Romans 8:35-39 ESV (35) Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? (36) As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered." (37) No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. (38) For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, (39) nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Those who want badly enough to live for Christ have no excuse to sin. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV) What is that way? Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Philippians 4:8 ESV) Our marching orders have always been to stand firm. And our best defense against the enemy, in all his manifestations, is to keep Gods armor in place, and think on these things. Its so simple, even Geraldine could do it.