December 4, 2012
During a recent conversation with my pastor, we
were discussing the meaning of 'militancy' ... how it applied to our
nation ... the nations of the world ... how the Church fits into this
picture ... and how we as individuals and as collective societies view
it. ... Needless to say, this discussion took us to many points
of thought .... and as I've contemplated this conversation over these
past few days, I've come to realize that in this word ...'militancy'
... lies the answer to the success or failure of our churches today.
Most people, when they hear the word 'militant','
think immediately of war ... or aggressive situations, be it political,
personal., etc. ... I, myself, was a victim of this thinking for most
of my life. ... but alas, I believe I've come to the understanding of
what it truly should mean ... and yes! ... I'm still a complete 'militant'
... but now, in a much different way. .....
Let me explain ... First, let's go to the 'American
College Dictionary' and look up the meaning of the word 'militant' ...
it says, 1) combative; aggressive: 2) engaged in warfare; warring: 3)
one engaged in warfare or strife; a militant person; serving as a soldier
.......
Now let's go away from the 'worldly' view of this
definition and apply it to the Kingdom of God ........
2 Corinthians 10:3-4 says, "For though we live
in the world, we do not wage war as the world does.
4) The weapons we fight with are not the weapons
of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds."
... And one more ... Ephesians 6:12-13 states, "For our struggle
is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the
authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual
forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13) Therefore put on the full
armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to
stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand."
Now I want to use a Biblical example of the kind
of warfare (militancy) that is being revealed to us in these passages
.... In the town of Gadara, there was a mass of tombs ... and dwelling
amongst them was a man who was possessed by some 2000 unclean spirits.
Can any of us even begin to imagine the torment this demon-possesed
man endured?! ... Scripture says he wailed and cried all through the
night , ripping his clothes and cutting himself with stones. ... This
poor soul lived as a wild beast, and there seemed to be no one who could
help him. ... Plainly, satan had taken 'ownership' of this tormented
man.
In chapter 5 of the Book of Mark, we see where Jesus
had just finished teaching in another town and was now heading to Gadara,
where this demon-possessed man lived ... and unlike many other places,
there was no waiting crowd ... there would be no mass healings ... and
no teachings of parables. .. Simply, Christ's mission was to reach this
one person ... the demoniac who lived amongst the tombs.
In this Gospel, we see an amazing scene take place
... Mark 5:2-7 says this ... "When Jesus got out of the boat, a
man with an evil spirit came from the tombs to meet him. 3) This
man lived in the tombs, and no one could bind him any more, even with
a chain. 4) For he had often been chained hand and foot, but he tore
the chains apart and broke the irons on his feet. No one was strong
enough to subdue him. 5) Night and day among the tombs and in the hills
he would cry out and cut himself with stones. 6) When he saw Jesus from
a distance, he ran and fell on his knees in front of Him. 7) He
shouted at the top of his voice, 'What do you want with me, Jesus,
Son of the Most High God? Swear to God that you won't torture me!"
Why did the demoniac say this? It is because
evil spirits are tormented when they encounter Christ. They know for
a fact that they will be chained and bound for eternity. ... Then Jesus
responded directly to the demons saying, "... come out of this
man, you evil spirit." (vs. 8) ... and the 2000 unclean spirits,
who called themselves 'legion', responded immediately, left the demoniac
and entered into a herd of pigs, which ran down the mountainside and
jumped into the sea and drowned. (vs. 9, 11-13) .... and then
what happened? ... This poor, tormented man, who just a few moments
earlier was crazed by evil spirits, now sat calmly at Jesus' feet ..
in his right mind!
Certainly this was an incredible miracle Jesus had
demonstrated, but also it is a clear message to all of us that our Lord's
authority has power over all and every kind of darkness, no matter how
strong .... and I believe there is even a bigger message here ... one
that is for our church today. ... In the Book of Revelation, the
Word clearly speaks of a 'flood of evil' that will come upon the earth
in the last days ... the final days when the devil knows his time is
short ...
There is no question in my mind that these are the
days we are now living in! ... People from all walks
of life are questioning what is going on all around us ... and it's
no wonder. ... All are "running to and fro ..." (Daniel 12:4)
.... Any semblance of morality is on its last legs ..... we have surpassed
the tragic example of "Sodom and Gomorrah"
So what is going on? Simply, it is the 'power
of hell' at work. ... Satan and his hordes are doing all they
can to put as many as possible into darkness. ..... As the Church of
Jesus Christ, we need to be fully aware that we are witnessing satan's
full-scale attack against God's people. ...... Multitudes of souls
today live in 'tombs of self-destruction', being harassed and tormented
by evil spirits .... Millions upon millions of hearts are crying out
in torment just as you are reading these words .... and according to
Scripture, it is only going to get worse with each passing hour.
But when all seems hopeless .... when lawlessness
seems unstoppable .... when there seems to be no place left to turn
... this is when many will begin to finally turn their faces to Jesus
.... the One and only One who can rescue them from their torment. ....................
And how will this all take place? Simply,
it is time for His Church to get out of its 'lukewarm, pleasure seeking,
seeker-friendly' state, and become militant ... by getting back to the
ministry described in Luke 9:1-2 where Jesus gave his disciples authority
over satan's hordes .... "When Jesus had called the Twelve together,
he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure
diseases, 2) and he sent them out to preach the Kingdom of God and to
heal the sick."
I see nowhere in Scripture where this authority
or power over evil has been rescinded. ... The time has come for Christ's
'authentic' church to rise up and get back to the ministry of "Healing
the sick and casting out demons."
If you are one who is caught up in the 'old ways'
of complacency.... of just 'going through the motions ... then I strongly
urge you to become spiritually 'militant' and start making a difference
in the short time we have left. .... Cries of despair are coming from
all parts of this world, and it's time for the true Church to answer
these cries .... It is time to call on the power of the Holy Spirit!
Finally, know this ... there are two worlds out
there ... one of good and one of evil ... and in these last days, the
warfare that has been waged for centuries will now only increase. ...
In the true sense of the word, there is a 'war of the worlds' going
on ... and it is evident when we look around us that the current church
of today is losing the battle ... Why? ... because we try and fight
it with worldly methods ... ways that seem to be 'acceptable' to our
culture. ... But the results are disastrous! .... So then, Romans
12:2 says it very clearly ... "Do not conform any longer to the
pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind."
Remember this, Jesus did not condemn the man at
Gadara. He did not ask the man how he became so bound. ...there
was no rebuke, not even a question. ... Instead, Jesus worked a wonderful
miracle of deliverance for the tormented man. ... He showed the world
how God has authority over every power of darkness. .... He then passed
it on to those of us who 'hear His calling' .... Simply, it is time
...
Until next time,
Red