Salvation 4 War

The OT is full of martial conflict. This refers to actual wars which were rampant in ancient times. A conquering army was brutal and mass extermination was in the realm of possiblity. In our own times, wars have been less frequent, but WWII is a reminder that of how efficient we are at killing. Armed conflict remains a real possibility.

One aspect of salvation is the battle. One analogy for salvation is a warrior rescuing His people. The warfare is sometimes literal, God fights with the armies of Israel. Such an experience of deliverance was welcome indeed for oppressed people. However, I prefer to look at the symbolic NT example.

In the Gospel of Mark, one gets the impression that Jesus is a spiritual samari, running through the land freeing people from the grasp of satan (exorcism) or illness (healing). Jesus tells a story about binding a strong man, probably a parable depicting His dealings with satan. The man in the tombs was possessed by "Legion, for we are many in number." This allusion is no doubt intended to include the Roman armies. Jesus also told parables about a King conquering His enemies and returning to His home. These and others are windows into the idea of war as salvation.

At the funeral yesterday I preached the text of Revelation 21: 1-4. Originally I intended to focus solely on Revelation and expand the text to include what follows. I ended up moving in another direction. However, in the preparation, I considered verse 8, a list of people "not welcome" into the Kingdom. The list contains most of the expected sins (murder, fornicators, sorcerers, idolaters, liars) and this group is tossed into the lake of fire and sulphur. However, the first sin listed is most shocking: "the cowardly."

I grew up in the church age of Love. It was all love all the time. "Love. Love. Love. That's what it's all about..." One of the virtues which disappeared in our talk about the faith was courage. The idea that one should stand firm. The idea that one needed to "put on the armor of Christ." The idea that "the Word of God is sharper than any two edged sword." The idea that the gates of Hell will not prevail against the church (note we are the ones attacking them, not them us).

God's battle over human souls is a war. He is a champion and victor. The spiritual warfare is real and difficult. As we talk about grace it is clear that one apsect of grace looks like John Wayne and the calvary riding in to save us. That is right, "to save" us. And that is what God is doing. Another analogy. Another reminder of the mulitple ways salvation is revealed. And we, you and I, respond to the call to be brave soldiers. "Onward Christian soldier" for the fight of our lives, really, truly and spiritually