The Battle is Now

When 9/11 became a reality for our country, I was a 27 year old college student, I had spent 4 years in the U.S. Marine Corps and a couple years in the Army Reserve by that time. I was studying construction engineering in college, with no expectation of ever re-entering active military service. I was comfortable. Life wasn’t complicated, I went to school, went to work, and went out with my wife and friends. This seemed like this could be a comfortable life to live. I loved building things, and I thought it would be simple to settle into a life of building and living life. I had no inkling that my life was about to turn upside down, and neither did the rest of America.

At that time life was relatively simple for the American. It was year after year of rinse and repeat. People were happily making their life choices based upon what was going to be best for them. People had a small recognition that there were people in this world that hated us just for being who we were. But most had no idea just how much they hated us and to what lengths they would go to inflict harm upon our comfortable little world. America was blind to the reality. Then September 11th, 2001…at 8:46 am EST…the world changes, and just like that the life of every American, including mine changes forever.

I wish I could say that even though the American public was not ready for this abrupt entry into the battle, that the US military was…but I can’t. There last armed conflict was a decade before and lasted less time than it took to clean up the wreckage from 9/11. The last real war ended 27 years prior, and was fought in the jungles of the Southeast Pacific. Our men and women of the US military on 9/11 were valiant and ready to fight, but ill prepared for the type of insurgent warfare in the deserts of the Middle east that they would soon face. Some say they should have seen it coming, others wonder how could they.

So here we are 19 years later, and once again our world has been turned upside down. This time it isn’t a direct assault, but the culmination of years of complacency that has let our “way of life” come under attack. Christianity in America is now under attack. Not from a well organized foe that would resemble a conventional military, but rather an insurgency similar to the one we have fought against for the past 19 years. An insurgency that has decided they no longer desire to “live and let live.” They desire to stifle those who oppose their revolution. And like America on 9/11, Christians have been caught unaware, comfortable, complacent, and in some cases complicit.

Beloved, whether you want to admit it or not, if you hold firm to the faith that say Jesus Christ is Lord, He is Lord of all, and we follow him faithfully and proclaim His truth from the mountain tops….you are now at war. Unfortunately, I believe you are much like that first wave of servicemembers that entered into a unconventional battlefield with a conventional mindset, you are ill prepared. I just pray that like those first to fight in the Middle East, you have an adaptable mind and an unshakeable resolve to be victorious.

We are the church militant, we are not the church triumphant. We are in this world where conflict occurs, we wrestle not against flesh and blood but against principalities and powers. This is the time of our warfare.  We are supposed to put on the whole armor of God Paul tells us in Ephesians 6. We are the church militant. We have not yet won our laurels. We have not yet won our victory. We have not yet entered into our Canaan rest. We’re not there yet.

Pastor Doug Wilson

We were not saved so that we might have our “best life now.” We were saved as a part of a body, a body that has a commission, and is to be equipped to fulfill that commission. And once so equipped to go forth and do the work of the ministry, God’s ministry.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints…

Ephesians 6:10-18