Are You A Christian Warrior?

Have you ever thought that serving God is a battle? I mean we’re in a war. Not a ‘holy’ war against groups of people, because Paul wrote,

“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians‬ ‭6:12‬ ‭NIV‬‬

The Frontlines

The ministries we serve on, the calling we answer, these are the battle units in the fight against evil in this broken world. Think about the different focuses of ministries and the eternal impact.

Are you a church greeter, welcoming people at the door? You’re a diplomat, the first friendly face sees as they come to one of God’s embassies.

Do you drive a bus for the church? You’re bringing in the walking wounded who’ve been hit by the world.

Feed and care for the Homeless? You’re loving on those who the world has forgotten and have been told they don’t matter. You’re countering that lie by showing they matter.

Do you work with the grieving? You’re patching up the wounded who faced the ultimate enemy, Death. When you give them hope, you pluck them out of the hands of Satan.

If you work with addicts or the broken, you give those the world says are hopeless and useless a purpose and hope.

Are you a teacher? You’re preparing people to face the world in the power of Jesus.

Do you work with kids? That’s the future you’re shaping.

Are you in the background filling a support role? You’re part of the backbone holding it all together. An example, at FirstNLR where I serve, it takes over 900 volunteers to make the weekend happen and over 1,800 man hours. That’s just scratching the surface.

We are at war, and the various areas of service are the fire teams and emergency response personnel along with a vast support network that goes forward every day. Those that serve are broken people that have and/or are being put back together again themselves.

We are also under attack. When we help, we become targets of the Enemy, and the Devil doesn’t abide by the Geneva Convention’s rules. He’ll have you sniped if he has to, like shooting the medic on a battlefield. He’ll try to make you give up, and even turn you to his side.

When you help and face struggles, there are two possible reasons: the Devil is attacking or God is training you for something greater.

There is a time of peace coming. Until then, serve. We need you, you’re called to it (Ephesians 2:10), and everyone is equipped for it (1 Corinthians 12).