What if you were at war?

What if your enemy was an evil, cunning, tyrannical liar, bent on theft, killing, and destruction?

What if he never tired, day and night with his pursuit of you, your family, your friends, and others?

What if your commander was building a means of attack on this enemy and all that he stands for, that was guaranteed to win, with zero chance of losing?

Would you fight by other means?

What if this means by which your commander was building, required each and every soldier to participate fully with everything they got?

Would you take the risk of attacking in a way that was easier, even though you’d lose?

Or would you count the cost and do whatever it takes to partner together to strive to build the ultimate weapon with which the gates of your enemy could not prevail?

The truth is, if you’re a follower of Christ, you are at war (2 Cor 10:4), and your enemy the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Pet 5:8). He’s the father of lies (John 8:44), who steals, kills, and destroys (John 10:10). He accuses you day and night (Rev 12:10). The truth is that your commanding officer (2 Tim 2:4 NIV) is building a means of attack that the gates of hell shall not prevail against (Matt 16:18).

It’s called the church.

It’s built up when each part does it’s work (Eph 4:16). It requires all of your life. Holding back part of your life in an effort to save it is a guaranteed means to losing all that you are trying to save (Mark 8:35).

What is holding you back from giving yourself fully to excel in building up (1 Cor 14:12) the only means of attack that is guaranteed to win: the church?

(Image adapted from: Vincent Tijms – cc)