UNDER ATTACK

Just A Thought To Think About – UNDER ATTACK.

Are the so-called Christian Values under attack? Yes! Has matter-of-factness become the approach and attitude of the so-called church? Yes! Have the spokes-persons for the religious culture had any major influence in the 21^st Century? No!

While the nation is garaged with the political news regarding Impeachment and other lesser things, the current forces and efforts of the powers of darkness are gaining greater footholds. Who or what is representing and leading the attack against Christian Values? Do you know and do you care? Are significant inroads and impact occurring while the “Christian Community is living within their ho-hum atmosphere? Yes! Just two current examples: Chick-Fil-A and the Salvation Army. Are you aware of the latest efforts of LGBT (an initialism that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender).

Sadly, Chick-Fil-A has backed away from their support of mostly Christian enterprises and will now generalize their philanthropic efforts with other organizations. The Salvation Army has a more complicated stance inasmuch as they maintain a broad based area of appeal and support.

The Scriptures are obviously clear in God’s stance on these issues. Romans 1:18-31. The passage indicates why God’s wrath comes upon behaviors that are contrary to His holiness and standards of purity. We should be careful to note that what God condemns we should not condone or compromise. Ephesians 6:10-20 identifies the cause of the attacks, “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.” The MSG paraphrase is: “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 a church where I was once the Pastor, a cantankerous man once said to me; “You came close to dropping your sword – never drop your sword!” It was a sobering reminder that the world will respond to those who dare to represent truth within a confused and misdirected culture. What is that sword that the godly should never drop? It is specified in Ephesians 6:17, ‘the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.”

Many years ago, John Milton authored the book, Paradise Lost, that gives an account of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden and their ultimate Paradise Lost. A review of his tome indicates how Milton described the cause of that loss – “The story opens in hell, where Satan and his followers are recovering from defeat in a war they waged against God. They build a palace, called Pandemonium, where they hold council to determine whether or not to return to battle. Instead they decide to explore a new world prophesied to be created.”

Perhaps a modern author needs to appear and write about Reformation Lost. Martin Luther wrote in his Hymn, A Mighty Fortress is Our God, “For still our ancient foe doth seek to work us woe; His craft and power are great, and, armed with cruel hate, On earth is not his equal… And though this world, with devils filled, should threaten to undo us, We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth to triumph through us; The Prince of Darkness grim, we tremble not for him; His rage we can endure, for lo, his doom is sure, One little word shall fell him.”

We are under a spiritual attack. Don’t drop your sword. One little word will stop your enemy. That word is Jesus. Represent Him and His Gospel faithfully – without amendments or compromises.

Prayerfully – Consider these things with me.