After the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk last week, I still find myself angry. Join me on my journey seeking answers in God's Word.
I grew up on heroes who took up their swords and fought back against evil. My icons were He-Man, Optimus Prime, Lion-O, and Zelda.
You no doubt have your own such heroes.
But now that the “dust has settled” what do I do and where do I go to fight this evil? I’m ready to take up my sword and fight but who is my enemy and how do I fight back?
Please join me as I seek answers to these questions in Jesus and His Word.
God doesn’t want or need my sword.
I don’t necessarily like it, but it’s the truth. Just ask Peter…
While physical violence is a natural reaction and it has its place (such as defending our family), it’s not the appropriate response to being persecuted for our faith.
But why Oh Lord?!
God has His own plan for humanity.
It’s Jesus
God tells us why he created us:
It’s Jesus.
How we fit into God’s plan
So, God is not willing that anyone should perish apart from Him.
He uses believers to reach others for His purpose, to reconcile everyone back to Him through Jesus Christ.
Everyone, even those we consider our enemies.
So that’s it? That’s the response? Is there a fight for followers of Christ?
Yes, there is war and we MUST take up our swords.
In summary.
We are called to fight. However, our battle is not with other human beings.
We war with the unseen spiritual world, the “powers over this present darkness”.
But we can reach others for God’s plan of reconciliation through Jesus.
How?
Through God’s amazing strategic maneuver, we reach others not by fighting them straight on.
Rather, we destroy the “arguments” and “every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God”, taking “every thought captive to obey Christ”. Our own thoughts and the thoughts of others.
God’s Word lays out the strategic elements: prayer, truth, righteousness, love, faith, and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This works when our speech and conduct is gracious and filled with gentleness and respect.
We must train for this war. Walking in wisdom, we prepare for how to respond to each person, always prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks.
