The Patriots

The movie "The Patriot" has gotten a lot of attention recently. When we saw it, the audience was very vocal to express their displeasure with the bad guy. And of course, the good guy (Mel Gibson) wins. But at what cost? He lost two sons, his home, and had to start over again. As we passed the July fourth holiday, perhaps people thought of the sacrifice those men paid to found this country. These were not men who took their task lightly - most of them suffered tremendously for their part in proclaiming this country to be free. They pledged their life, fortunes and their sacred honor - and many of them lost all three. Only their descendants would benefit from their sacrifices.

Their sacrifice left us a great legacy - this nation we currently live in. Sadly, today we have lost our way. Movies like "The Patriot" bring applause as the good guy wins, but most forget the terrible sacrifice that was paid. Today we trample over the constitutional government they left us, ignoring the grand document when it's convenient to do so.

I'm not here to disparage our country; I thank God we live in this country. However, I would like to see a return to a constitutional form of government - that the government respects the constitution as the supreme law of the land. If we don't like what the constitution says, it provides means to be modified - just don't pretend the document doesn't exist, as often happens today. Yet, as Christians we also forget the great sacrifice and legacy left to us. Instead of looking at the events of two hundred years ago, let's add an order of magnitude (pun intended) to it.

You're in the upper room. It's after Jesus has been crucified. It's dark, and no one speaks much. Nobody wants to say what's on everyone's mind - Jesus is gone, and now the Jews and Romans will be looking for us. We all thought Jesus would setup the kingdom and free us from the oppression of Rome - but now He's gone. The silence is deafening. Yet there have been reports Jesus is alive, but none in this group believe it - we saw Him die.

Suddenly, Jesus appears before you in brilliant white.^[1]

Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. (John 20:19 KJV)

In an instant, as the radiant light extinguishes the darkness extending into every corner of that room, everyone in that room is changed forever. You can't look upon Jesus in His glory and not be changed. Fishermen, tax collectors and others are now forged into an evangelizing machine. Jesus tells them to preach, and preach they did. Timidity will never enter into their life again.

But at what cost? These apostles all died a horrible death (except John). Crucified, dragged through cities, speared, heads beaten in and other inhumane ways to die. Why did they endure it? You can't look upon Jesus and not be changed - it's just not possible. These timid fishermen were given power such like the world had never known.

But they never forgot one thing - they were in a war. Oh, not with flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places^[2]. And just like this country's founding fathers, the apostles and church fathers paid the price. Paul said "what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ (Philippians 3:78 KJV)". These men knew what they were fighting for, and what they were fighting against. Perhaps that's why we see so much written comparing the Christian life with the soldier's life - the analogy was not theoretical to them.

No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. (2 Timothy 2:4 KJV)

At this point you might be saying - Yikes! This isn't what I signed up for. I signed up for a Jesus of love where we all sit around the campfire eating burgers (and s'mores!) and wait for Him to setup His kingdom on earth when He returns. That is the same mistake the apostles made. Paul tells us every Christian is in a war (whether you know it or not). If you're not in the battle, there is one word for you: casualty. You're either in the battle or you're a casualty - it's that simple.

Yet today the church is frequently timid; they've been infected with a disease Walter Martin calls (using the Latin name) "non-rockaboatis". Christians forget the battle engaging them and worry more about rocking the boat than getting the job done. What attitude did the apostles have? Were they concerned with rocking the boat? It wouldn't appear so. They were too busy turning the world upside-down.

Yes, you are in a battle. A battle for your family, a battle for your friends, and even a battle for people you don't know living on the other side of the world. You've only got the armor God provides in Ephesians six. That's it folks; only two offensive weapons exist. But before we get to these, it's vital to know you are completely covered in God's armor - except for one area. The breastplate doesn't cover your back. If you retreat, you are vulnerable. The Christian soldier doesn't retreat, he goes forward, and the gates of hell will not prevail.^[3]

But to digress slightly, if the Christian soldier is this formidable, why are we so ineffective? Two reasons. First, satan convinces many this battle doesn't exist - that perhaps even statan himself doesn't exist. But he does. Second, satan gets the Church to fight among itself in order to distract it from the real job. Instead of supporting each other, the Church fights about sprinkling verses dunking. What? The world is literally going to hell on your doorstep while the church debates weather we should worship on Saturday or Sunday. What a colossal waste of time.

But if you want to be effective, you've got two offensive weapons. The first is prayer. You could call this the supporting artillery of the soldier. Imagine being on the battlefield and having the ability to instantly call in the artillery support whenever you needed it. Could you imagine not doing that? With that ability, you can have an impact (no pun intended) on battles currently waging in any part of the globe.

But you have another offensive weapon - the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God. That's not the offensive weapon some people want (preferring perhaps a tank or a bomber). Why? Other weapons can be effective from a distance; the sword is a close-in weapon. You've got to get in close with your sword to do any good - and close-in you are vulnerable. If you get close, you risk the chance of taking a hit yourself - yet it's the only way to be effective in battle.

So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11 KJV)

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 KJV)

Any other weapon we pick up is ineffective. Money? God doesn't need it. Where God guides, He provides. Our talent? Where do you think the talent came from?

It's time we stopped engaging the enemy with our dismal worldly weapons and engage the enemy at point-blank range, making our stand with the Word of God. Nothing but the Word of God will do, as Paul reminded the Corinthian church.

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; (2 Corinthians 10:4 KJV)

What is the condition of your sword? Are you prepared to use it? Or is it a little rusty? Do you know where it is? All of these conditions can be fixed, but you've got to be willing to train.

Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (2 Timothy 2:15 KJV)

Paul, in what could be called his deathbed statement (since he was about to be executed at the hands of the Romans), in his final address to his protege Timothy gave Timothy his final advice.

Preach the word; be diligent in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (2 Timothy 4:2 KJV)

Preach the word. Don't argue about petty doctrine or minor issues - Preach the Word! Don't get off on side issues about dates of the books of the Bible - preach the Word! Was Jesus really crucified on Friday - who cares? - Preach the Word! Sprinkle or dunk? Insignificant! Preach the Word!

Preach is in the imperative mood - it's a command. Paul the field commander gives orders to the troops, commanding Timothy to preach the word. The translation says in season or out of season. But in can also be translated whether it's convenient or inconvenient. It sure wasn't convenient for those who fought and died in the revolutionary war so that we could enjoy freedom. And sometimes it isn't convenient for us to fight and suffer so that someone else can enter eternal life. Yet we are commanded to - this isn't optional. To disobey an order is mutiny against the Lord. Be prepared whether it's convenient or not.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16 KJV)

Non-rockaboatis must stop. As Walter Martin said, "I don't want to rock the boat, I want to sink it!". We must be prepared to pledge our lives and everything we have for this battle.

You are a mighty warrior
dressed in armor of light
crushing the deeds of darkness
lead us on in the fight
through the blood of Jesus
victorious we stand^[4]

I'm right behind you Jesus - you've got point.

Forward march!

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^[1] Remember Jesus was NOT a ghost. Then how did He get inside a locked room? It turns out you can get inside a room without going through the walls if you live in more than three dimensions.

^[2] Ephesians 6:14

^[3] Matthew 16:18

^[4] I don't know who wrote this, but it's from a song.

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The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9 KJV)