By Jim Miller
Gray, Maine
Contrary to what is being taught by many today Christians are not pacifists, They never have been and should not be taught to be such. In an age of milk toast preaching and teaching where the feel good gospel which is not the Gospel but watered down pablum is rampant it is hard to feed the meat of Gods word to very many today.
The go along to get along idea has taken deep root within the church of the Lord today. The what would Jesus do folks blindly ignore everything but the peace and love and mercy of the four accounts of Jesus life focusing only on His loving side. How folks can claim to be soldiers of the cross is beyond me.
It is clearly shown throughout the New Testament that Christians to ALWAYS be prepared for battle. Christ our Lord shows us clearly that we are to fight. Mat_10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
We are not to hide and cower in the comfort of our buildings and homes keeping the word safely tucked away. What soldier goes into battle un prepared? Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
Eph 6:15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;
Eph 6:16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
Eph 6:17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
Weak and watered down preaching and teaching produce weak Christians. Wimpy pew warmers who know nothing of the true battle fought against the enemy Satan and his hoard of followers. Christians are not being taught that the word is the sword of battle. Heb_4:12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
I say shame on the preacher or teacher who does not prepare his listeners for battle by teaching the the whole counsel of God. Shame on the men who will only teach his listeners about love and peace and mercy and grace and not prepare them but lead them to the slaughter. Shame on the men who can not say as Paul did 2Ti_4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
We must feed the flock strengthen them teach them to fight so that we too can say…. Act 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
We must take heed and be diligent not to allow the weak and watered down words of man take the place of sound doctrine. Act 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.
I implore you pick up your sword, put away from you these men who will lead you captive. Go out and fight the good fight. Put away the milk toast and watery teachings and go, Go into all the world and preach the Gospel the whole truth not just that which is pleasing to the ear.
