THE CHRISTIANS WARFARE IN THE WORLD

By  Rev Okoth Otura

The youngest General in the historical war books  ‘Napoleon Bonaparte 1769-1821” was indeed one of the greatest leaders in military history of his time, his skill as a General both tactically and strategically was without question, his rise to power was astounding and thus few men in history have had such an impact on world conquest. There is no vital reason not to rank him alongside  with such leaders as Alexander the Great.

His politician friend Barras around 1785 Barras asked Napoleon to interven and restore order at a time of crisis, whereas he was given only 3 minutes to answer.  He took the assignment with a warning that, “Once his sword is drawn, it will not be sheathed until order is restored”   his saying remains in the French Empire and the world’s military archives todate.  ( Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Napoleonic_Wars)

What lessons can Christians learn from such an extraordinary worldly warfare ?  Of course Napoleon warfare was waged worldly while Christians warpath is spiritual as it is recorded in: 2 Corinthians 10:3-6

“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ”

Every battle is won by well skilled commander’s and better armed troops with high standards of discipline, and therefore  the Christians likewise must observe and be  ready to put on the whole armour, not just one  but the whole armour to  win the battle  of life and the struggle we face every day in our daily activities.

 Particularly at this time when the world is facing recession, war, hunger, genocides and political instability, as believers we must, however  follow carefully the instruction as it is given in Ephesians 6:10-18

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”

THE GIRDLE OF TRUTH: The girdle not only kept the clothing close to the body for better protection but additionally the tightness of the girdle strengthened the stomach muscles so that the warrior could better perform in close hand to hand conflict. The assurance that the cause for which one is fighting is right and just performs these functions for the Christian soldier. Its importance is stressed by being the first element of the armour to be mentioned.

THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS: In 1 Thessalonians 5:8 it is called the “breastplate of faith and love” for these are the component elements of righteousness. Because the breastplate covers the heart and other vital organs it is an essential defence and corresponds well to the words of Jesus in Matthew 5:8, “Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.”

SANDALS OF PEACE: It seems oddly ironic that an element of the soldier’s armour would include an article of clothing representing peace. Actually it is the “preparation of the gospel of peace.” Now is not the time for peace in the world, for reconciliation between God and men; but it is the time for the “word of reconciliation” (2 Cor. 5:18, 19). In another prophetic battle scene our attention is called to the “feet of him that bringeth good tidings that published peace” (Isa. 52:7). Our warfare is one that truly does have peace—not just the peace of the victor but also the peace of the vanquished—as its final objective.

THE SHIELD OF FAITH: Like a shield, faith is mobile. The battle described by Paul to the Ephesians is unequal. Instead of two warriors locked in close hand to hand battle, one of the adversaries is equipped with fiery darts and can fight from a distance. These darts are doubts and must be met with one’s faith firmly anchored in the scriptures. “This is the victory that overcometh the world, even your faith” (1 John 5:4).

THE HELMET OF SALVATION: In 1 Thessalonians 5:8 Paul calls it “the hope of salvation.” The best protection for attacks to the Christian’s intellect, his head, is his assurance of salvation. He has the knowledge that the Lord is not judging him so much on what he knows but on what he does with what he knows. “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his” (2 Tim. 2:19).

THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT: The only offensive weapon in the Christian’s warfare, this sword is described elsewhere as a “two-edged sword,” and is used for applying the principles of God’s word to ourselves as well as to others. “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” (Heb. 4:12).

More importantly let us be fully armed,  and  march forth into  the battlefield and fight a good fight so that we may likewise  claim the crown, as mentioned by Paul in (2 Tim. 4:7), “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing”.

Finnaly I hope this message has blessed you and will strengthen you through-out until the next message of hope.