SPIRITUAL WARFARE: Sunday soldiers - reproach to Christ!

"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth."

2 Timothy 2:15

Recently, I encountered the term "Sunday soldiers." Curious, I did an Internet search and discovered the term was quite popular during “the war between the states,” our own Civil War.

“Sunday soldiers” were understood by veterans of battle to be those who saw little or no action; they were also known as “kid glove boys” or “parlor soldiers.” The terms were used as insults or signs of contempt. To be publicly referred to by one of them placed you in the camp of the coward or labeled you as unpatriotic.

In an interview for The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in about 1918, Lot D. Young, a Rebel veteran of the Civil War, gave this testimony before his death:

“On the 22d of January following I was twenty years old - quite a youth you are ready to say. But I had been a soldier almost two years, being a charter member of that little band of ‘Sunday’ soldiers - the ‘Flat Rock Grays’ - and which constituted an integral part of what was known at that time as the Kentucky ‘State Guard.’ This little company of citizen soldiers were in their conceit and imagination very important and consequential fellows. Invited to all the noted gatherings and public affairs of the day, dressed in gaudy and flashy uniforms and flying plumes, filled with pride and conceit, they did not know they were nursing their pride against the day of wrath.” [“Documenting the American South: Reminiscences of a Soldier of the Orphan Brigade: Electronic Edition. Young, Lot D., b. 1842 © Copyright 1998 by the Academic Affairs Library, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]

In other words, they were all show and no go!

The church is an army, the army of God; and we are considered soldiers of the Cross. We are admonished to wear all the armor of God at all times; to be ready in season and out.

But today the visible church is pregnant with Sunday soldiers – the “Flat Bottom Grays” –which constitute an integral part of what is known as “Christian church.”

This little company of lay soldiers are, in their own conceit and imagination, very important and consequential Christians. Invited to all the committee meetings and socials of the day. Filled with pride and conceit, they don’t know they’re nursing their pride against the day of wrath. They are, when the bottom-line is reached, all show and no go! They are armorless and powerless.

Someone should tell them that those of the losing side in our war were also known as rebels.

Apostates, Christianity,
Illustrations, Religion

BORDER CHRISTIANS: To Whom Do They Belong?

“No one can serve two masters … ”

Matthew 6:24 (also Luke 16:13)

The next time you look at a map notice the lines between the countries? Every map has them; they divide one state or country from another. They’re called “borders.”

In fact, every nation on earth has borders, real ones. Without borders no one would know where one nation began and another ended. A border lets us and others know where we’re standing … in this land or in that land. You can’t stand on a border; you’re either in one land or in the other or straddling the line … period.

Does the border belong to either country? Does the border between the Canada and USA belong to Canada or the United States? Does any one know?

Sadly, many Christians are like borders today, every church has them. I call them “Border Christians”; no one knows to whom they belong! They believe they can keep one foot in heaven and one foot on earth … “just in case.” Is that possible?

Not according to the Bible. The Lord Himself said, “No one can serve two masters … .” I don’t think He would mind me paraphrasing that: “No one can be standing in heaven and in earth at the same time.”

Christianity, Illustrations, Religion

APOSTASY: What the world now calls backsliding!

GOING BLIND SILENTLY: [Proverbs 29:18a]

Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained, but happy is he who keeps the law.

Without warning, Jane Berry's father went blind in one eye; the cause was glaucoma. He immediately encouraged his 26-year-old daughter to be tested; she was shocked to learn she also had the eye disease.

Often called "tunnel vision," glaucoma destroys peripheral or side vision. It's caused by a build-up of fluid pressure inside the eye; the eye can't tolerate the pressure, so the main nerve transmitting vision to the brain is damaged. The change is so subtle that by the time a person realizes they have a problem, it's usually too late. Sort of like the proverbial frog in the kettle.

Estimates suggest over 67 million people have glaucoma globally, of whom nearly seven million will go blind owing to late diagnosis or inadequate treatment.

Glaucoma is now the second most common cause of vision loss worldwide and a major factor in car and pedestrian accidents. Doctors urge everyone over 40 to be tested, especially now that a new more effective treatment, with fewer side effects, can help people with glaucoma. One drop per day reduces eye pressure in up to 90 percent of patients who submit to the treatments.

Although it hasn't occur without "warning," the body of Christ is suffering from a similar and untreated problem with its vision. Many, especially the young, truly believe it won't happen to them. The Bible warns, "Where there is no vision, the people are unrestrained."

Is there any longer any doubt that "the people are unrestrained"? A people can’t lay hold of the "hope set before [them]" [Hebrews 6:18; cf. Philippians 3:14] if they don't have a vision for that hope. In fact, neither you nor your church can move forward without vision.

Often called "backsliding," apostasy destroys faith and practice. It is brought about by a hardening of the heart. An undernourished heart can't stand secular pressure, so the link between the heart and the mind is damaged. The change is so subtle that by the time a person or church senses the problem they are already apostate. In many cases, we can watch as the Body goes silently blind.

Estimates are that over three quarters of the church in America is has lost its vision, of which more than half are virtual apostates. Sin is the primary cause of apostasy and is the leading cause of individual and family failures in this land.

Since September 11, 2006, church leaders throughout the land have been pleading with the people to get treatment. It's free! The treatment is simple, go to the Word and nourish the heart.

Estimates are that 75 percent of those who do will be cured; the remaining 25 percent can't be cured because they don't have apostasy, they suffer from unbelief. But, Praise the Lord, there's a cure for unbelief also, and it is free! [Ephesians 2:8]

Sovereignty (of God)

God as A Waiter (or God as A Relief Pitcher) [Amos; Malachi; 2 Timothy 3:5; other topics - Commitment]

The generation just past crowded God to the boundaries of life, while the present generation is shoving Him over the edge.

Oh, we want Him around when it’s useful, but we don’t want Him intruding when it isn’t. We see Him like a waiter at a party, standing silently against the wall until needed. He is then beckoned with the hand, to come and serve or to clear the dishes.

Sometimes, we see Him like a relief pitcher in a major league bullpen, hidden from view until the team is in trouble … we then beckon him to come in and save the game for us.

"God is a Gentleman, if you ask Him to stay out of your government, your courts, your schools, your businesses, or your homes ... He will oblige you." [Ruth Graham Lotz, paraphrased]

[Paraphrase - Hubbard, David Allan; “Why Can’t I Worship God My Own Way?,” Amos: God Speaks to an Age Turned Sentimental; Themes from the Minor Prophets: A Bible Comm. for Laymen; Regal Books, 1980 p.37]