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by Andrew Williams

There are many armies in this world, but out of all of them there is one which is set apart. These soldiers are very often ruthless and malicious in their words and actions. When they see weakness they often go on the attack, despite the fact that they are trained from a timeless instructional manual (which some of them quote verbosely) to act differently. These soldiers are the only armed forces who help to finish off their own wounded on the battle field. They are often cold, heartless and selfish. Their behavior is quite contrary to that of their founding leader, their Commander in Chief, who was executed without a fair trial because he refused to conform to the standards set by the government at the time. Inspite of his great example, his troops have not fully carried on the traditions which he has proven to be right.

Who are these soldiers?
I know you are smart people so you already figured it out, I am talking about you and I, yes - Christians in general. Let me be clear, I am in no way bashing the Christian faith but this is more like a wake up call for those including myself who profess to be Christians. We cannot say that we are Spirit filled Christians and at the same time treat each other in an unkind and selfish manner. It just doesn’t add up. The bible says in Romans 8 v 9, ‘You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ.’ So you have to encompass the Lord’s Spirit in you, to be called a true Christian. The physical manifestations of the Spirit are evident, as seen in Galatians 5 v 22-23, ‘the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness gentleness and self-control.‘ This is the litmus test of our faith. Sorry to say, we are not only judged on how well we do at not having sex with our neighbor’s wife or husband, committing heinous crimes ( like stealing company stationary) and lying about the time you went shopping in Italy. No, we will also be judged on how well we treat our fellow brothers and sisters.
Do you know that Jesus was the greatest warrior to have ever walked the earth? No it wasn’t Genghis Khan, Napoleon or (in his own estimation) Movado - it was Jesus. Some scholars might disagree, because he didn’t carry weapons of mass destruction like the others. Contrary to them, Jesus brought to the world a message of love, kindness and care, even for those who didn’t deserve it. Using the title of reggae recording artiste Etana’s newest hit, Jesus was and still remains a“Warrior of love.”
‘Dog eat dog world’
In this world, everyone seems to be on the offensive or defensive for that matter. We act very selfishly and insensitively towards others. We feel justified because of how others have treated us and so in turn we start acting in a similar manner or worse, sooner or later. When we are hurt and frustrated it is by far the easiest option to tell the person about their parts or cut them where it hurts than to show love. But only a true warrior of love, equipped with the Spirit, can find the strength to return good for evil. It’s really a very complicated concept, someone slaps you across your cheek and you’re supposed to turn the other cheek for them to do accordingly. Jesus are you crazy?But then we put, that same Jesus, a sinless man on a tree to die for the sinful acts we committed. Out of love in his fleshly form he gave up his rights as God by allowing us to kill him. He has never asked us to do anything he hasn’t done himself. When we are on the receiving end of that love it doesn’t sound so crazy after all. Does it?
As Christians we need to reevaluate the way we live, the bible says that we must confess our sins one to another. So to tell you the truth personally I have not always been kind and caring. In accounting terms If I had to take a stock of my attitude to others, my books would not have balanced, how about you? I have also been on the receiving end of alot of attacks from enemies and even so-called friends.But I have purposed myself to not get bitter and to try to show love to those who have hurt me. Ephesians 4 verse 31- 32 says, ‘get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.’ It’s hard but I am learning that love is actually spiritual warfare. Who knows, your love might win over your offenders as well as others looking on? You see, when you love someone who hurt you it does something to you, to them and to others looking on. Even the unsaved are disappointed when Christians act wrongly to others even if they seem to agree with your action, deep down they start analyzing the soundness of your Faith.

Signs of the Times!
I was reading Matthew 24 and in it Jesus was foretelling the future, and he spoke of the signs of the times. He said wars will break out, famine and earthquakes, then you will be arrested and killed, you will be hated all over the world for you allegiance to me. Here is the part that struck me, he said many will turn away from me and betray and hate each other. To walk away from him , it would have meant they were once with Him, so in the last days our own Christian brothers and sisters are going to hate and betray us. This is an issue I am dealing with presently and this verse has brought clarity to the situation, it’s just something that’s going to happen, I just have to accept it, you should too. If they walk away from God, how much more will they not walk away from you?
Well how do we respond? Matthew 24 12 & 13 says, ’sin will be rampant everywhere and the love of the great body of people will grow cold but those who endure to the end will be saved.’ Those who endure will win the race. Even when you are hurt by others, do not let your love grow cold; return good for evil! Don’t get bitter, don’t burn any bad candles, wish them the best - they are going to need it. The person may never change, but your heavenly Father sees and knows all things and He rewards and punishes accordingly. You are warriors of love so following Corinthians 13 5-8; Love does not do the wrong thing. Love never thinks of itself. Love does not get angry. Love does not remember the suffering that comes from being hurt by someone. Love is not happy with sin. Love is happy with the truth. Love takes everything that comes without giving up. Love believes all things. Love hopes for all things. Love keeps on going and in all things. Love never comes to an end.

Points to ponder!
1. Help the fallen! When your fellow soldier has fallen, do not kick him, instead, help him up. Use encouraging words, be a little less critical. Think back to where you are coming from, there were days when you fell and nearly ‘bruk u neck’, Jesus responded to the sins you committed with forgiveness and not condemnation.

2. Evaluate yourself! Ask your self the question would I want to be treated the way I am treating others? We may need to change some of the words in our vocabulary, because words act as weaponry. As humans we are generally selfish and our hearts lack tenderness and care for others. This self-centeredness and aggression is very evident in our world today! But as Philippians 2v 3-4 says, ‘do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves.’ Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

3. Respond to evil with good! Don’t let anger take over your heart, it will soon direct your actions! When you are hurt respond in love, any coward can respond to hate with hate but only a brave warrior can respond to evil with good. If the world says you are soft and God says you are strong, whose view matters most to you?

4. Signs of the times! As time is winding down Christians, our fellow soldiers will defect to the other side. They will betray and hurt you. Jesus said it, so don’t be surprised. Accept it, instead of spending time trying to understand it, spend time praying for them that they will return to the faith and rejoin the army of love!

Andrew is a final year student at the University of Technology, Jamaica. He is a Christian, he loves the Lord, and he is a member of the Brown’s Town Baptist Church.