The Full Armor of God
I sometimes reminisce with my children by sharing some of my favorite songs from when I was young. Lately, I’ve had one song in particular that has continued to stick with me. In the 80’s there was a song by Contemporary Christian Artist Steve Camp called “Run to the Battle.” I believe this song is even more relevant today than it was then.
The song begins with “Some people want to live within the sound of chapel bells, but I want to run a mission, a yard from gates of Hell.” I think as Christians, we sometimes become too complacent – comfortable to go about our daily lives, go to church each week, give our tithes, and think that helping with the church rummage sale fulfills our commission of doing the Lord’s work.
Please don’t get me wrong; these are all things we should do, fellowshipping with others, giving joyfully of our ‘first fruits’ and even having fundraisers to support missions or community outreach. But how many of us are doing all we can to reach those who haven’t accepted Christ as their Savior? Are we willing to go where others don’t go to reach the lost?
Bible prophecy is happening right before our very eyes. Each day we’re one step closer to the Lord returning. I feel an urgency in my soul to try to reach as many as possible before He returns, because I believe it won’t be long. It’s time to come out of our comfort zones, put on the full armor of God and hit the ground running.
In Ephesians 6:11 it says “Put on the full armor of God so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.”
This world is getting more evil with each passing day. Just a quick scan of the news shows just how much darkness can be in the heart of man. You can sense the spiritual battle that’s being waged. Satan knows his time is almost up and it seems he’s working overtime to drag as many as possible with him. We have to stay in prayer and listen to the Holy Spirit so that the Lord can use us to reach these folks before it’s too late.
The next line in the song says “And with everyone you meet, I’ll take them the Gospel and share it well, and look around you as you hesitate, for another soul just fell.”
How heartbreaking! Just thinking that because we may have been uncomfortable or because we didn’t listen to the urging of the Holy Spirit, someone may never come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Joshua 1:9 “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
We need to be bold in sharing Jesus and not concerned with what the world thinks. We are on a mission! Pray, plant the seed, pray some more and place it in the Lord’s hands. Time is running short and there’s so many to still reach. We have to do what the Lord has called us to do, not what the world thinks is right.
I Peter 3:14 says “But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed, AND DO NOT FEAR THEIR INTIMIDATION AND DO NOT BE AFRAID.” (Emphasis mine)
We should be bold in sharing salvation through Jesus Christ. Since we are seeing the Bible’s prophecies being fulfilled at an alarming pace, it should encourage us even more as Christians to try to reach so many lost in the darkness of sin.
The Bible describes the tribulation in Matthew 24:21: “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”
We have to run our race doing all we can for God’s kingdom. This world is not our home. We need to urgently work while there’s still light. The thought of anyone being left behind should urge us to share the hope that’s found through Christ.
The final verse of the song says: “And in that final hour when you feel like you’re ready to die, will you hear that trumpet sound? Will you hear that warrior cry? Run to the battle!”
Psalms 44:5 “Through You we will push back our adversaries; through Your name we will trample down those who rise up against us.”
Time is short. The enemy is conniving and deceitful. But through the blood of Christ, victory is assured.
2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
Let’s be strong in the Lord and work for his kingdom.