A Real War
April 5, 2011 (Tuesday)
“Onward, Christian Soldiers!” is a grand old hymn of the faith. Since it is about spiritual warfare, however, some new editions of hymnals have removed it. Other hymns are now out of favor by some: “Am I A Soldier of the Cross,” “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” “Hold the Fort, for I Am Coming,” etc.
To be sure, no one wants the churches to incite warfare between nations, but there is another type of warfare that is real, and we are part of it if we are followers of Christ. It is spiritual warfare. According to Ephesians 6, there is a war going on, all the time, between good and evil. This great chapter gives us Scriptures that warn us of Satan’s attacks upon each of us and encourages us to be diligent about wearing our spiritual armor as protection. The armor is also spiritual: truth, faith, etc. Make no mistake about it, good and evil are always in conflict and there is no escape from the battle.
One of the modern translations, “The Message,” puts Paul’s message of Ephesians 6:10ff in perspective for us: “And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.
“Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.”