In numerous places throughout the United States billboards are going up proclaiming one simple truth, Christ is Lord. There are a few positions one can take on this claim. First is one of disagreement and indifference, “you’re wrong about that, but I could care less.” The second is disagreement and indignance, “You’re wrong and how dare you claim that in the public square.” To those either of those people, just know we are praying for you. But there are two other responses that should interest us more. The response of agreement and indifference “I agree with you, but does it really matter?” This person is the one I worry about the most, the proclaiming Christian, whose faith is merely personal and nothing will come of it.
I am of a different sort, and I hope I can encourage you to join me. I am the one who responds with agreement and amen (so be it). My response is “I agree with you, now what?” I don’t see how you can proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord, and not see that it has ultimate consequences in the immediate present. Not to borrow from the false teachers, but I can get on board with the name it and proclaim it in this case!!!
I think the reasonable and aware Christian at this point has come to the realization that we are in a battle, just like Paul said we are. If not, stop and go back and read this article. I think it is fair to say this is a battle between good and evil. And while this battle has been going on for an exceptionally long time, it is now more prevalent to us. The sides are clearer than ever. Both sides of the battle have amassed their troops, they are drawing up battle plans daily, and attacking wherever they think most effective.
But one side has a problem, those on the right are massively ineffective. Try as we may, we cannot gather everyone we need to establish even the most basic defense or a minor ambush, much less a lethal counterattack.
Why is that? Because we do not have a collective set of principles by which we organize ourselves. We do not have an undeniable standard of truth upon which we stand and say “In this we believe, and for this, we will die.” Men will not fight for an amorphous collection of relativistic ideals. Simply put, men will not risk their lives and livelihoods for something upon which they cannot rely.
And why do we not have this solidified center of moral principles upon which we can stand? Because the left is far better at counterinsurgency than we are. You see for decades, even a century now, the left has convinced us that we were not allowed to appeal to the one standard upon which our society was formed. They have rewritten history so that we would believe them when they said that we cannot appeal to that ultimate standard of right and wrong, and we feebly went along with it. We let the enemy determine not only the limits of the battlefield but also the rules of engagement and even what weapons we were allowed to bring to bear.
So, what is the answer?
The Lord Jesus Christ is not just the answer to our personal dilemma. He is the eternal Logos of God, and as such, He is the spoken Answer to every legitimate question that any given society might pose, or all of mankind for that matter.
Mere Christendom – Douglas Wilson
Christ is Lord is the answer. He is the way, the truth, and the light. His Word is the ultimate standard upon which we must base all our actions, on and off the battlefield. His strategy is our strategy, His Word is our ultimate weapon. We must not listen to the enemy when they proclaim that we cannot carry that Sword into battle.
“Christ is Lord” is a positive assertion that He is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is not a personal choice, he is not someone we choose to hang out with a couple of hours a week, He is not our self-help guru. He is the King of all, seated upon His throne and if you are His followers, you are enlisted members of His army fighting to spread His Kingdom over all the earth. He has been given all authority in heaven and on earth (Matt 28). His law is the law of the land. All who serve in public office are his servants and are to be serving His purposes and in accord with His commands (Rom 13).
You see we can gather all the forces we desire and fight a skirmish here and there, but they amount to nothing if we do not openly and unapologetically announce that we are fighting in the name of our King. So, in every city, county, and state we begin to turn the tide of this war by seeking the blessings of our King by openly proclaiming His Lordship and His crown rights over all the land. Call evil, evil, and good, good. We do not blur the lines. Drive back evil and progress forward that which is good, all the while keeping at the forefront the cry that Christ is Lord.
A note for those who are on the opposing side of what I proclaim here, we wish you no ill will, in fact, it is just the opposite. Our greatest hope and prayer is that you join us. You see we serve a benevolent King, one who loves us, provides for us, and protects us. We want you to know him and trust him as we do and, in that trust, we call it faith, receive the multitudes of His blessings. Turn from the evil that enslaves you now and know the freedom of living under a perfect and righteous and forgiving King who sacrificed Himself for us. The one who died rose again and then returned to heaven to sit on a throne to build a kingdom for himself and His people, in which all His subjects will receive eternal blessing.
Militant Ministry 