Christians at War

By Dr. Ken Matto

(1 Tim 1:18 KJV) This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;

“People of western Europe. A landing was made this morning on the coast of France by troops of the Allied Expeditionary Force for the Liberation of Europe, made in conjunction with our great Russian Allies.” This was part of a speech made by General Eisenhower on the evening of June 6, 1944, we know it as D-Day. This was the day that over one million men had trained for and were being cooped up in England due to the rainy weather. Well, the weather finally broke just enough for the invasion to go on and in less than one year after the Allies had hit the beaches, the war in Europe was over. That landing was one of the most bloodiest of the war. Many lives were lost on both sides. This is the cost of war and it doesn’t matter who starts it, it is always the little people that suffer the loss and heartache.

When we think of war, we think of the war that we Christians are in. The war for Christianity is gaining momentum as it is being attacked by not only those on the outside, but also those on the inside. In the above verse, the Apostle Paul gives us good insight on how we are to wage the war that is thrust upon us from the dawn of time. Timothy was raised in a Christian home and Paul is reminding him that the prophecies that went before him, he is to build on. What Paul is telling him is that the only way to wage a war for the souls of people is to do it with and according to the Scriptures. In Timothy’s time, they had the entire Old Testament but today since we have the completed Bible, we are to use both edges of that sword.

Christians must stabilize themselves through the study of the Scriptures alone without man’s additions or comments. Once we begin to soak in the pure Word of God, then when the enemy begins to send false teachings and false brethren our way, we will be able to defend against them and stay the course. Since Timothy was well-versed in Scripture the Apostle Paul had found him faithful enough to commit the ministry to him. If we are over-versed in man’s teaching, we will be unable to withstand the attacks of the enemy, in fact, we will succumb to the subtle attacks and we will wind up with an adulterated ministry which is of no value to anyone. As Paul counseled Timothy to remain strong in the Scriptures, we are also to remain strong in the Scriptures. Remember, scriptural Christians very rarely ever yield a large friendship base. Folks still like to have their flesh ministered to, so the more adulterated the teaching, the more it is widely accepted. Be prepared for that!  (6/6/03)