World War 2 was a horrific event filled with countless bloodshed, horrific suffering, and courage that is utterly unheard of in “peaceful” North America. To be a soldier fighting on the ally’s side was a great honour, and it demanded a lot of courage and perseverance. The soldier was constantly faced with the threat of death, and the potential doom of losing his beloved homeland. Bombs were always heard and sometimes it was so deafening that their ears would ring racked with pain. The stench of blood was the aroma that filled their nostrils when they awoke, and when they succumbed to sleep. Witnessing friends dying horrible deaths was a regular part of their day. Always alert, hardly sleeping, hungry, dirty, they fought on with the memories of their family and country to motivate them.
Now picture this: a soldier under these circumstances in the trenches playing with a Gameboy. What is his excuse? Because he just felt like checking out of life for a while. Pretty ridiculous thought isn’t it? I write this sermon to the Christian. To the people redeemed by the precious blood of Christ, “born-again” by the Holy Spirit, who live in “peaceful” North America. The reason why I painted the picture of the soldier sitting in the trenches during a battle playing video games, is because the reaction that we have pondering that scene is similar to how heaven must feel observing many Christians in North America. My goal is not to leave you racked with guilt from an indictment, but rather to help open your eyes to the reality of the battle we are engaged in whether we like it or not; and by having your eyes open, your heart may be filled with joy and we may give glory and honour to God. Paul says in 2 Timothy 2:4, “no soldier in active service entangles himself in affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted himself as a soldier.” Why would the Apostle Paul point out such an obvious fact about soldiers? Or athletes? Or farmers? It is because Christians are also in a battle, competing for a prize, reaping what we sow. So many Christians become stagnant in their faith. They slowly lose the passion they once had. The affections their heart once had for Jesus slowly diminish. It is sad, and breaks my heart.
Have you dear Christian, beloved by God, forgotten about the battle? The thought of a World War 2 soldier sitting in the trenches playing a Gameboy is insane, but the battle that soldier was engaged in does not have as big of consequences as the battle a Christian is thrust into. The enemies those young men faced were men, but the enemies we as Christians face are devils. “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). The consequences of losing the battle during World War 2 meant missing out on a lovely life on planet earth, but the consequences of losing the invisible battle that has been raging for roughly six-thousand years leads to a suffering more terrifying than anything witnessed under the sun, and it goes on for eternity (Daniel 12:2, Matthew 5:29-30, Matthew 25:31-45, Revelation 14:11); and missing out on eternal life with Jesus Christ on a new glorified earth forever. The weight of the spiritual battle is much more than World War 2. Many are laid waste across this continent. They have forgotten about the battle, the Great Commission, the love of Jesus, the glory of God, the blessedness of salvation, and the doom that threatens most people.
Do you ever reminisce about past mission trips, or seasons where you “felt” closer to the Lord? Has the daily grind of life distracted your eyes from Christ? Has your faith become stagnant by your indulgence of all the entertainment this society offers? Mission trips have a way of filling us with a sense of purpose. The team of Christians will usually unite themselves in seeking the Lord. The nature of the mission they are on has a way of awakening the Christian’s senses to reality. To the reality of our Commission to preach the gospel, the hope we have in Christ, and the promise God has given us to never leave or forsake us. If our society is fleeting, if the humans all around us are perishing, than how silly is it that we continually accumulate useless possessions for ourselves, distract our minds and hearts with entertainment. So many of us are that soldier that sits in the trenches playing a Gameboy while bombs are exploding all around, and comrades screaming for the mother who nursed them as they lay dying.
Some of you are prone to worry. Some wonder why their joy level has depleted as they allow the culture to fill them. Oh Christian! May you fix your “eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). It is no wonder that the writer of Hebrews exhorts us to look toward Christ. He is the captain of our faith. He is the one who shed His precious blood for our salvation. He is the one who made all things and holds them together (Colossians 1:16-17). He is the one who has given us the Great Commission. The devil would do anything to divert our eyes from beholding Jesus. It is in Him that we find our strength. It is in Him that our hearts are filled with divine love. If our hearts catch a glimpse of His glory, then the things of this earth will grow strangely dim. Paul states that the soldier wants to please the one who enlisted him. May we strive to please Christ. Only we have it so much better than a regular soldier. Our captain has already won the war. He loves you so much. He will never leave you. He has given you a purpose. He has given you a hope—He is coming again to take you away to be with Him for all eternity. God bless you!
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