It's Time to Fight Back

It's Time to Fight Back - By Greg Laurie - www.harvest.org

 

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. -Ephesians 6:10-11

 

The church is under attack as never before. It is under attack around the world, and it is under attack in our own country. Christians are summarily mocked, marginalized, and dismissed as lunatics. Overseas, our brothers and sisters are being martyred by Islamic terrorists and Communists. It is enough to cause Christians to become downright discouraged.

 

I have good news for you today: we win in the end. We may lose a battle here or there, but we will win the war. Jesus said of His church, "The gates of Hades shall not prevail against it" (Matthew 16:18 NKJV). A military tactic used by ancient armies was to break down the gates of an enemy's fortress by hitting them with a battering ram. Once inside, they would destroy the opposing army. In the same way, Jesus was saying that Satan and his forces are not able to withstand or prevent the onward march of the Christian faith. The gospel will win, and the kingdom of God will win.

 

Don't misunderstand. I'm not talking about a militant Christianity where we force conversion. I'm talking about the loving followers of Jesus Christ seeking to persuade others to turn from their sin, believe, and be forgiven. I'm talking about when Christ comes back to this earth and establishes His kingdom as King of kings and Lord of lords.

 

I feel that in some ways, the church today is a sleeping giant. The devil has declared war on our country. He has declared war on our culture. He has declared war on our young people. He has declared war on the church, and it seems as though the church is collectively taking a nice, long nap. It's time for us to put on the armor of God. It's time for us to fight back.