Warning. Proceed with caution. Continue at your own risk or I may have to steal the quote, “I’m afraid the strain was more than he could bear.” (Doc Holiday, Tombstone) I’ll just come right out and say it. Enough of this “Christians are supposed to love everyone” nonsense. The people who say this either are timid by nature, have been taught only part of the Bible or have never read it for themselves. The entire book is filled with recorded wars and battles. Whether on the battle field or in society, Christians are fighting for their inheritance and freedom from oppression.

Those who want to dominate and control love to throw around comments like “I thought you were supposed to be a Christian.” or “Jesus is love.” I hate to burst your bubble but Jesus himself said in Matthew 10:34-39 (NKJV) “Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. 35 For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; 36 and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ 37 He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.” That’s not sweet baby Jesus. That’s the ruler of the whole earth.

Now don’t get me wrong. Jesus is the Prince of Peace. Jesus is love. But Jesus is not just love. Nor is He just peace. He is a King. He is Just. He is not a people pleaser. He stood up to and harshly name called the hypocritical Pharisees. He crafted a whip and drove out the money changers while violently flipping their tables over. The only time Jesus allowed Himself to be controlled was at His appointed time to die for our sins. And even then, He handed himself over, allowing them to do what they wanted to do. Had He not done that they could not have held Him.

Jesus knew when to fight and when to heal the sick. He knew when to argue and when to keep silent. He was masterful with His words. He could not be tricked or manipulated. Jesus is awesome!

In like manner, we are to know when to stand and fight and when to keep silent. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (NKJV) clearly says not all times are the same.

3 “To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:

2 A time to be born,
And a time to die;
A time to plant,
And a time to pluck what is planted;
3 A time to kill,
And a time to heal;
A time to break down,
And a time to build up;
4 A time to weep,
And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
And a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones,
And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace,
And a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to gain,
And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
And a time to throw away;
7 A time to tear,
And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence,
And a time to speak;
8 A time to love,
And a time to hate;
A time of war,
And a time of peace.”

There are those who are crying “Unity.” Unity yes, but first it must be defined. The body of Christ must be in unity in order to function as the body. However, we are not to be in unity with the world.

James 4:4 (NIV) says, 4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.”

We cannot think that if we play nice with those who oppose God that we are pleasing the Lord in the name of Christianity. You are fooling yourself. You make yourself an enemy of God. We are not to be timid and afraid and bow to those who want to rule over us. We are to be like the three Hebrew boys who under threat of death would not bow down. They believed in their God to deliver them. And even if He didn’t, they would not bow down.

Me loving my neighbor is me telling them the truth even if they hate what I’m saying. Me loving my neighbor is wanting blind eyes open both in the natural and spiritually speaking. Loving them is not me bowing to Godless demands and edicts. Jesus said they hated Me, and they will hate you. John 15:18

Now don’t misunderstand. It is the goodness of God that leads us to repentance. Of course, we are kind in nature and don’t go around starting senseless or meaningless fights. We defend the defenseless and care for the hurting like the “good Samaritan.” But we definitely don’t cower in the name of Christianity. David was a kind shepherd boy but when it was time to fight, he was the only one brave enough and bold enough to run straight at the giant in front of him. He knew this enemy was standing and threatening in opposition and defiance of God. We must do the same.

Do we love? Yes. Are we kind? Yes. But please, do not forget we also fight! Paul taught us to put on armor. We are told to act as good soldiers. Even our faith is a fight and we are told to fight. The freedom Christ purchased for us is worth fighting to keep. Let us not put our swords down and lower the standards of the Word. May we be like Paul when we come to the end and say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge, will award to me on that day and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7-8 (NIV) 

So, let us unite as the body. Not with this world or its corrupt ideas. We have a treasure worth fighting for. We are carriers of the presence and power of God. We are to pray “Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10) We can only bring healing and restoration through fighting for the Word and fighting for the church. If we don’t fight for her who will? So I challenge you. Pick up your sword and fight! 

Blessings to you and yours,

Jaime Luce

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