onward christian soldiers!
"First of all, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be offered for all men, especially for kings and those in authority." —1 Timothy 2:1-2
We Christians should be fired-up, attacking the gates of hell (Mt 16:18), taking over territory from the kingdom of darkness, and winning the world for Christ. In serving Jesus, we, the other-worldly, must take more initiative than the worldly (Lk 16:8). We are to be the Church Militant, not the Church Complacent. We have the ultimate motivation — the love of Christ (2 Cor 5:14).
Therefore, we're ready to charge in the name of Jesus, even if we have to lose our lives. Since this Biblical call to aggressive spiritual warfare is a great threat to Satan, he continually attempts to discredit any bold Christian offensives. When we're exhorted to win the world for Christ, we step back because we don't want to be like the Jehovah Witnesses. When we hear about Christian community, we stand paralyzed because we don't want another James Jones. When someone speaks of world-evangelism, we think: "Not another PTL." Who are we "trying to please at this point—men or God?" (Gal 1:10)
When Christians come on strong, we often fall on our face. But we should get up, repent, and come on even stronger. We "have come to light a fire on the earth." How we "wish the blaze were ignited!" (Lk 12:49) Onward, Christian soldiers!
Prayer: Father, may I want all "to be saved and come to know the truth" as much as You do (1 Tm 2:4).
Promise: "The Lord has sworn by the pride of Jacob: 'Never will I forget a thing they have done!' " —Am 8:7
Praise: Praise Jesus, Whose fire of love has turned us back to the Father.
Rescript: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, March 14, 2007
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