War Stories!

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!

Luke 13:34

There is a big difference in an army of volunteers and an army that is drafted into service. When you are forced to take up arms and fight, your heart may not be, and usually is not in the war!

The rousing Vacation Bible School song, “I’m in the Lord’s Army” has a serious foundational concept that is worthy of pause. If you are in the Lord’s Army then how did you get there and what is your job?

When Jesus calls together the Army of His followers there is no room for fear. Like Gideon, Jesus tells His followers who are afraid that they are excused from service in the present battle. Jesus has an all volunteer army. If you are not willing to participate in spiritual warfare you will not be forced to do so. That does not mean that while you stand idly by you will not be pummeled by Satan in his rampage through the world.

It seems that there are some Christians who are conscientious objectors, not to earthly war, but to spiritual war! They love wearing the uniform and marching in step on the parade field. They certainly enjoy the war games and especially the Army-Navy football game where they can gain bragging rights over other Christians. But when it comes to stepping on to the field of battle where real bullets are flying they have no heart for it.

As the spiritual war rages around you today you have a choice. You can choose to lay down your weapons and simply dodge bullets while you find a place to hide, or you can take up your Sword and enter the fight!

Remember, the most powerful testimonies of Christians are when old soldiers tell war stories!