“And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.”
I like this scripture. It reminds me that we need to uphold and defend – sometimes rescue our brothers (and sisters) in Christ.
Having been a former Army Non-Commissioned Officer, perhaps I see this a bit more militant than most. I will fight to the death to defend my brothers and sisters – even my non-believing friends. (Yes I do have non-believing friends). That even extends to my exes, and they (should) know that because I have told them. Those whom God has placed in my life become my responsibility to protect and defend. (OK, maybe my ex-cop is showing).
I had an hour-long conversation tonight with one of our new pilots at the airport. He said he felt like part of the popular-lonely. His entire life he has felt like he was different – separate from the herd. Perhaps because he had learned that you can’t trust anybody. But he is a believer in Jesus Christ (now) and is learning to be empathetic to the needs and concerns of others. Being new, he is still trying to figure out everybody – whom he can trust and whom he can’t. He grew up in the church, but lived a life inconsistent with the teachings he learned until God, allowing life, pulled him up short. Now he is faithful to church and to God, and learning how to walk out what he believes. But he is young and tender in the faith. Hard, still, in some parts of his heart, but tender in his “want to.”
That’s one area where you and I, as more mature Christians, need to step up and come alongside our brothers and sisters. Even if they have been a Christian for years, we understand that each new level of growth, each level of maturity, brings new challenges. Sometimes it brings up old challenges to see if we are real in our commitment to Christ. I wholeheartedly believe that God brings people into our lives for us to protect them – to cover them with counsel and prayer – as they grow. They may not be our protoges, necessarily. Sometimes they just need our protective covering while they find their own way in God.
I’m sure that’s how Abram felt when he discovered the enemy had carried away his household and servants. They were under his watchcare and protection, but somehow the enemy slipped in and took them away. Their souls were his to rescue. Most times it doesn’t take quite such a militant action to pull them back out of the hands of whomever has stolen them, but sometimes it might. Abram was willing to do whatever it took to bring them home safely – back to where he could guide them, protect them, and bless them with the blessings of God.
We need to have that same mindset. Those in our lives who are living in sin, who are toying with Christianity, those who are marginal – God has placed them in our hands and under our influence for a reason. We must become militant in our stand, in our hearts, and in our attitudes. We must toughen up and do whatever it takes to rescue their souls from hell.
I think of the words of Jesus found in Matthew 11:12: “And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.” Brothers and sisters, the days of playing “church” are over. It is time for Christians to arise from slumber, quit playing around with Satan and his toys, and come into our own! Our children, our friends, our co-workers, even our enemies are on their way to hell – and God has placed them in our lives for such a time as this. Awake, O sleeper. Arouse yourself to battle. Put on the full armor of God and join in this battle for the lives around us. Gear up, mount up, and ride.
Be blessed.
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