Enemy at the Gates

In a land far away, and a time long ago. A watchman sits in the watchtower of the town wall. As he stares at the horizon he sees a large shadow approaching. It draws closer and grows larger, and from the shadow the shape of men and horses emerge. Men dressed for battle with shields and swords, thousands as far as the eye can see. He sounds the trumpet, and shouts aloud "enemy at the gates." The town is aroused the women and children flee to the center of the town, as the men put on their armor. Amidst the confusion one man is found turning his dwelling inside out seeking his armor, having been so long since he used it, he can not find it. He hears the sound of arrows clattering against the walls and the stone walkways outside. The sound of battle grows, with a loud crash the ram hits the gates, and again BANG BANG CRASH, and in run enemy soldiers they have entered the city, the battle begins. with naught, but a sword he rushes to the battle, and is quickly cut down. The battle ends and the town endured, and as they collect the dead for burial, they find one soldier without any armor, and instead of being remembered as a hero who fell for his city, he remains the soldier who was unprepared for the battle. A disgrace. My friends as a Man who grew up in church. I heard Ephesians 6:10-18 many times yet still I walked to the spiritual battlefield without any armor, and not even a sword. I fear that this is true for many christians today. It is common to go to our church meetings and sit bored, and wish it was over, then return to living our life not so very different from the world around us. This is not the life God has called us to. God said, "Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God's armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God's armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God's righteousness. For shoes put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all these hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on Salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Christians arise the enemy is at the gates. The devil is not a fairy tale told to scare children, he is real and he is a mighty opponent, a lion seeking whom he may devour. There is a battle to fight, and we have a God who provides all we need to stand, but we must stand, we must be alert to the reality of the battle. You can choose not to fight, but you choose to lose if you do. Satan does not need a reason to attack, he is opposed to all who would turn to God, we can not afford to avoid the battle, or to walk unaware and unarmed. Every boy who grew up in the church loved the song "The Lord's Army" but somewhere along the way as we grow up we decide that the battle and adventure is a fairy tale, and seek that which is comfortable. It is time now to see the reality of the bible and truly be in the Lord's army. There is no sideline to sit and watch from, you are either for God or against God. I will close with Joshua 24:14-16 So fear the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. But if you refuse to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.