This is War

I imagine you read the title of today's post and wondered about it.  Maybe you were thinking this would be a post regarding the war on ISIS.  NOPE! Though I have political opinions, this blog is not a political blog and is not intended to be one.  The one political statement I will make is that Christianity and politics are not friends.  You can be a Democrat, Republican, Libertarian (yes I said Libertarian), or even a completely non-partisan person and still be a Christian.  The beautiful thing about Christianity is that it is a "no political affiliation" religion.

Speaking of that, did you know that Christianity is one of the few world religions that is not a theocracy?  There's a word.... Theocracy: A form of government in which God (or a deity) is recognized as the king or immediate ruler, and his laws are taken as the statute-book of the kingdom, these laws being usually administered by a priestly order as his ministers and agents; hence (loosely) a system of government by a sacerdotal order, claiming a divine commission; also, a state so governed. Christianity is actually about relationship.  Simply put, it is not about power, prestige, or fame.  The entire faith is based on Jesus Christ's merciful loving grace.  Your entire responsibility is to serve him by loving your neighbor, providing for the poor, having mercy on the incarcerated,  serving your fellow man, and worshiping the Prince of Peace.

We so often hear about Christianity as a religion of hate or intolerance in the media.  But I will argue that those who make the news are hardly followers of Christ.  To really know Christ is to study him, his word, and his life, and to make a commitment to let him be your Commander in Chief.  Pastor Joyce explains the battlefield of the Christian. 

This is War January 22

Paul said he fought a good fight and told Timothy in chapter two, verse four, “No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.” Jesus made the statement in Matthew 11:12, “From the days of John the Baptist, until now the Kingdom of God has suffered violence and the violent take it by force.” Another statement of Jesus is in Matthew 10:34 saying “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth.  I did not come to bring peace but a sword.” Yet, He is the Prince of Peace.

We all want peace but the terms in the statements above sounds a lot like war.  These seemingly contradictory assertions indicate that in order to have peace we will have to win the war by doing violent battle.  Without dissecting every term let’s think about the battlefield where our greatest victories must be won.

Every path leading to an advance in our life begins in the mind.  If we do not control our minds and conquer our brain’s focus we will surely become defeated.  We are instructed to take every thought captive (another war term), and be transformed by the renewing of our mind. We can only obtain and maintain peace when our mind is fixed on Him.

Fixing our mind on God is a continuous battle but one that can and will be won in the Spirit.  When our will is submitted to the control of God’s Spirit the soul man falls into its rightful place and the will of  God manifests itself in victorious procession.

Think about what thoughts now control your course, are they bringing you joy, understanding, and an overflowing abundant life?  If not gird up your loins, stand up like a man, and prepare yourself for war.