Prologue 

Page 4 

At a conference of liberal Christian women a few decades ago, leaders were offended by the hymn, "Onward Christian Soldiers." We're supposed to love everyone. Remove this falsehood from the hymnals, they fumed! 

     Maybe they hadn't read how war began in the Garden of Eden and continues to rage between Satan and followers of Christ...and the Jews. They probably didn't know the song was written by a teacher just for his children in 19th century England. It turned up in hymnals, and we often sang it in our 1950s Methodist Church. 

     We'll give liberal women this: Paul's weapons were "love" and "goodness." Paul also called for the "armor of God" - all defensive - except for a "sword of the Spirit," the Word of God (Ephesians chap. 6).

     As with any soldier, Paul encouraged preparedness and courage. He wrote to Timothy, "A soldier wants to please his commanding officer. Endure hardship like a good soldier of Christ Jesus." 

     Jesus himself said the mission would "not be without cost." A new kingdom must confront the incumbent. This means war. Not with destructive weapons but with truth, love, obedience to God, giving oneself...even loving one's enemies. 

     Jesus prepared his disciples for battle: If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? (Matthew chap. 16; Mark chap. 8). 

Commentary: We suffer in a lifelong battle against sin, by crucifying our desires. We suffer in a war against Satan as we advance the kingdom of God. We suffer the hatred and ridicule of the world, by testifying in love that its deeds are evil. Like Jesus, we may suffer ridicule and persecution from the religious world.

Tomorrow: demonstrations