There are many comparisons made in the Bible to help us understand the roles God has called us to. Each genuine Christian in the church is an important member of the Body of Christ. The church (and Israel too) are compared to being God's bride. At the same time we are children of God, and we should relate to Him as a trusting and obedient child would in relation to his father. We are to be living sacrifices, ambassadors of Christ. His is the Vine and we are the branches, and we are the sheep of in the fold of the Good Shepherd, Jesus. All together this imagery creates a pictorial symphony, harmonising beautifully our relationship and roles before God. It is important to maintain a biblical view, well-rounded by the many pictures provided in scripture.
One aspect of the Christian life alluded to in scripture is that of warfare. This imagery is employed in 2 Timothy 2:1-4: "You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier." Ephesians 6 goes into detail of the armour God has provided by the Holy Spirit, and our fight is not against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers, and spiritual rulers of wickedness. Some people use these passages as a lens through which they view many conflicts, perceive they are "under attack," and take the battle to the LORD in prayer. It is a good thing to remember it is God who fights for us, who protects and shelters us. But people like doing things. They like taking the fight to the enemy best they know how, being vigilant and watchful in prayer.
It occurred to me how it does take courage to trust God and fight. Sometimes this "fight" may not look like anything which would pass for a "battle." God directed the Israelites to walk through the parted Red Sea when the Egyptian army pursued them. He also commanded they walk around Jericho day after day until the seventh day when God cause the walls to collapse. After hearing the giant from Gath defy the army of the living God young David volunteered and defeated Goliath with a sling and stone. Jonathan and his armour bearer stormed a Philistine garrison and slaughtered their foes. On and on stretch the brave exploits and victories of God's people, even to this day. We are easily stirred by gallant and noble deeds done by people of faith, and aspire to the privilege to see God work in our lives in like manner.
There is a time for victory, and a time to...surrender in defeat? This is unexpected for a child of God, right? Well, that's what the prophet Jeremiah spoke to king Zedekiah. The Babylonians were drawing near to sack Jerusalem, and the king wondered what the correct course of action was. He inquired of Jeremiah what he should do. Jeremiah 38:17-18 reads, "Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, "Thus says the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel: 'If you surely surrender to the king of Babylon's princes, then your soul shall live; this city shall not be burned with fire, and you and your house shall live. 18 But if you do not surrender to the king of Babylon's princes, then this city shall be given into the hand of the Chaldeans; they shall burn it with fire, and you shall not escape from their hand.'" If Zedekiah wanted to survive and preserve the city (not to mention the people and the temple), he was directed to surrender to king Nebuchadnezzar. God had determined the city would fall, but if Zedekiah would humble himself and surrender, he would be delivered. This was not a popular course of action amongst the rulers who stood to lose land and power, and Zedekiah knew it. It turned out he was not willing to obey the word of the LORD, and paid for it dearly: his sons were slain before his eyes, his eyes were gouged out, he was bound in chains, and taken to Babylon for judgment.
When the hour of Jesus finally came, He was betrayed, arrested, and crucified. Unlike Zedekiah (whose defences had fallen and army was weak), Jesus could have commanded legions of valiant, powerful angels to defend Him. One of these angels could have defeated thousands of powerful fighters in an instant. But because Jesus was obedient to the Father He willingly laid down His life on Calvary. Jesus did not even need to fight to win, but He surrendered unto the will of the Father - by allowing wicked men to do all they wanted to Him. This is a very hard saying, and it will not be popular for those who idealise "victory" and what it looks like. Yet it is a biblical truth, and the Holy Spirit will lead us in following the example of Jesus in the power of His resurrection. Zedekiah would not humble himself before Nebuchadnezzar because he refused to humble himself before God. If we will adopt a humble posture before God and obey Him, we win even if to the world it appears we lose. That is a glorious truth we glean from the Gospel. He who tries to save his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for Christ's sake will gain everlasting life.
So how do we know when to fight and when to surrender? Once we are surrendered to God in obedience He will reveal to us the next step as we abide in His love. There is a time to cast stones and a time to gather them; a time for war and a time for peace. Peace which passes understanding is ours when during conflict we look to Jesus in faith and honour Him with our choices. Having surrendered before God we are provided enduring victory.
One aspect of the Christian life alluded to in scripture is that of warfare. This imagery is employed in 2 Timothy 2:1-4: "You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier." Ephesians 6 goes into detail of the armour God has provided by the Holy Spirit, and our fight is not against flesh and blood but against principalities, powers, and spiritual rulers of wickedness. Some people use these passages as a lens through which they view many conflicts, perceive they are "under attack," and take the battle to the LORD in prayer. It is a good thing to remember it is God who fights for us, who protects and shelters us. But people like doing things. They like taking the fight to the enemy best they know how, being vigilant and watchful in prayer.
It occurred to me how it does take courage to trust God and fight. Sometimes this "fight" may not look like anything which would pass for a "battle." God directed the Israelites to walk through the parted Red Sea when the Egyptian army pursued them. He also commanded they walk around Jericho day after day until the seventh day when God cause the walls to collapse. After hearing the giant from Gath defy the army of the living God young David volunteered and defeated Goliath with a sling and stone. Jonathan and his armour bearer stormed a Philistine garrison and slaughtered their foes. On and on stretch the brave exploits and victories of God's people, even to this day. We are easily stirred by gallant and noble deeds done by people of faith, and aspire to the privilege to see God work in our lives in like manner.
There is a time for victory, and a time to...surrender in defeat? This is unexpected for a child of God, right? Well, that's what the prophet Jeremiah spoke to king Zedekiah. The Babylonians were drawing near to sack Jerusalem, and the king wondered what the correct course of action was. He inquired of Jeremiah what he should do. Jeremiah 38:17-18 reads, "Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, "Thus says the LORD, the God of hosts, the God of Israel: 'If you surely surrender to the king of Babylon's princes, then your soul shall live; this city shall not be burned with fire, and you and your house shall live. 18 But if you do not surrender to the king of Babylon's princes, then this city shall be given into the hand of the Chaldeans; they shall burn it with fire, and you shall not escape from their hand.'" If Zedekiah wanted to survive and preserve the city (not to mention the people and the temple), he was directed to surrender to king Nebuchadnezzar. God had determined the city would fall, but if Zedekiah would humble himself and surrender, he would be delivered. This was not a popular course of action amongst the rulers who stood to lose land and power, and Zedekiah knew it. It turned out he was not willing to obey the word of the LORD, and paid for it dearly: his sons were slain before his eyes, his eyes were gouged out, he was bound in chains, and taken to Babylon for judgment.
When the hour of Jesus finally came, He was betrayed, arrested, and crucified. Unlike Zedekiah (whose defences had fallen and army was weak), Jesus could have commanded legions of valiant, powerful angels to defend Him. One of these angels could have defeated thousands of powerful fighters in an instant. But because Jesus was obedient to the Father He willingly laid down His life on Calvary. Jesus did not even need to fight to win, but He surrendered unto the will of the Father - by allowing wicked men to do all they wanted to Him. This is a very hard saying, and it will not be popular for those who idealise "victory" and what it looks like. Yet it is a biblical truth, and the Holy Spirit will lead us in following the example of Jesus in the power of His resurrection. Zedekiah would not humble himself before Nebuchadnezzar because he refused to humble himself before God. If we will adopt a humble posture before God and obey Him, we win even if to the world it appears we lose. That is a glorious truth we glean from the Gospel. He who tries to save his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for Christ's sake will gain everlasting life.
So how do we know when to fight and when to surrender? Once we are surrendered to God in obedience He will reveal to us the next step as we abide in His love. There is a time to cast stones and a time to gather them; a time for war and a time for peace. Peace which passes understanding is ours when during conflict we look to Jesus in faith and honour Him with our choices. Having surrendered before God we are provided enduring victory.
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