The posts this week will focus on the theme for this year’s VBS: The Armor of God.

I never served in the armed services. The draft ended just before I turned 18 and I never had to even sign up. In a way, I was glad not to have to face the prospects of fighting in Vietnam, but I also felt deprived of the experience that military service affords. I remain appreciative of the sacrifices and dedication of the people who serve in the military. But I have served in the Lord’s army for 51 years and as a leader in that army for 39 years. I enlisted at the age of 8 and I have never regretted the decision to enlist.

WHY SHOULD I ENLIST?

Enemies exist. That is why people enlisted in WWI and WWII. They realized that there were enemies that threatened their way of life and that, as the war edged closer and closer to their homeland, they chose to fight on foreign soil rather than allow the war to come to them.

Who are the enemies of Christians?

The World – I John 2:16 – For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.

This is the world system, not the people in the world, although people may also set themselves against believers. Our struggle is with a world whose values, ideas, goals, philosophy, and motives stand in direct conflict with those of Biblical Christianity. The desires of the flesh remind us that the world focuses on the material. You need this car, that wardrobe, those gadgets. Physical gratification is the mantra of the world.The desires of the eyes remind us of the gate through which the world pushes its agenda. We are a very visual culture and the world constantly throws images at us to reinforce that agenda. Pride in possessions forces us to confront a big part of our problem: we want the world’s approval. The focus on status, the emphasis on success as indicated by what we have, the desire to prove our value and worth through possessions cause us to elevate possessions to a level never intended by our Creator. Jesus tells us “not to worry about what we will eat, what we will drink, or what we will wear,” but the world obsesses about these constantly. Jesus tells us to “store up treasures in heaven, not on earth,” while the world is frantically seeking, like the rich man in Jesus’ parable, to store up more and more riches on earth, only to find that life ends too quickly and material pursuits leave them unsatisfied spiritually.  Jesus says, “You cannot serve both God and Money,” but the world is convinced that this is not only possible, but that material possessions are a sign of God’s blessing. While the world labors tirelessly to accumulate possessions, God challenges his people to answer this question, “Why do you labor for that which does not satisfy?” (Isaiah 55:2).

I John 2:15 
Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

The Flesh – 1 Peter 2:11 – Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.

“We have met the enemy and he is us” (Pogo). Lurking within us is an enemy that everyone of us must face. Humans seem bent on self-destruction. We know, all too well, the experience that the Apostle Paul relates in Romans 7. The things that we know are right, that we should do, we fail to do. The things we know are wrong, that we should not do, we do anyway. That is why people who think that education will correct all of our problems, that the problem is ignorance, and that when people know what they need to do, they will do it, are so disappointed when education does not fix the problems. The “passions of the flesh” are at war with our best interests, with our spiritual nature, with our very soul. “It’s what I want!” often flies in the face of reason, logic, wise counsel, and realistic expectations. This is an enemy we ignore to our peril.

The Devil – 1 Peter 5:8 – Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

In Ephesians 6, the Apostle Paul reminds us that our warfare is against “the rulers, authorities, powers of this dark world and the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” We face a spiritual battle against spiritual forces of evil, very real and very dangerous. Satan and his demons deal in deception and lies. The devil is a liar and the father of lies. His deception of our first parents with crafty lies reveals his favorite and most effective strategy. Unfortunately, many believe the lies, especially “The Lie,” that we can be like God, in charge of our fortunes, our destines, our future.

The battle is raging. There is no avoiding this war. It has come to us. In fact, our minds are the battlefield and the enemies have surrounded us. We only have two choices: surrender or fight. Surrender in this warfare means “spiritual death.” We must fight, but we cannot win without reinforcements. Fortunately, God’s Spirit, His angelic host, and His Word stand ready to assist us in this battle. With Their aid we are more than conquerors in this war.

People are dying. This war is not just about us. Casualties of war are found everywhere, and the battlefield is literally strewn with the minds and souls of those who have been ravaged by the world system, fleshly passions, and the devil’s lies.  “For Christ’s love compels us,” the Apostle Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:14. How can we stand by and watch the spiritual destruction of family, friends, associates and neighbors without a thought or a care? How can we sit in comfort and complacency as they speed headlong toward the abyss of spiritual destruction?

HOW DO I ENLIST?

People who enter the military are required to sign enlistment papers declaring their commitment to military service. Signing on the dotted line is another way of saying that you have declared your commitment to the cause. To enlist in the Lord’s army, one must believe and confess (Romans 10:9-10). The commitment to believe is more than just an intellectual assent; it is a commitment to trust Jesus enough to follow Him and obey Him. He is the commander-in-chief. When we confess, when we openly declare, that we are stepping out to follow Christ, we are committing ourselves to His cause and we are willing to fight for His kingdom. Becoming disciples (followers and learners) of Jesus Christ follows the commitment to enlist. And we must understand that this is not just a temporary period of warfare. People who enlist in the military usually do so for a specific period of time. But we must prepare for a lifelong struggle against enemy forces seeking to destroy us and others.

WHERE DO I ENLIST?

You can sign the papers (make the commitment) to follow Christ anytime and anywhere. However, you need to know that God is expecting for you to show up for duty at one of the outposts He has established for training and deployment of His forces called “local churches.” You need to understand that you are not alone in this war. God is with us. We are on His side. Fellow Christians stand with you in this struggle. It may be a harrowing battle, but it is comforting to know that there are others standing side-by-side with you in the fight.

WHAT IF I FAIL?

It happens. Some soldiers go AWOL (Absent Without Official Leave). In the heat of battle, they desert their fellow warriors and run away in fear. This happens to Christians as well. It’s important to remember two crucial truths. God doesn’t give up on you, and the church doesn’t shoot deserters. Because of the failure, you will have to “earn your stripes” but we will welcome you back. In the Lord’s army failure is not final!

ARE YOU READY TO ENLIST?