A Church Test

And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, “Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses.” Nehemiah 4:14

Did you go to church expecting armed combat yesterday? No, you and millions of people attended church yesterday and did not need to tote a firearm. Do we wear body armor as the new church fashion? The time for that may be nearer than we thought yesterday morning. While you and I look forward to that day when we turn our swords into plowshares and spears into pruning hooks, we need to have wisdom in this.

Nehemiah writes of a time when Jerusalem was rebuilt. Families armed themselves and faced the enemy. Half stood guard with sword, spear and bow while the other half worked to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Their vigilance and willingness prevented the fight they feared. Are we to do the same now? Or, is this the time for martyrdom?

In the early years of the church, persecution by the ruling government caused many a martyr's death. They did not take up the sword but went willingly to die for the cause of Christ. In chapter 11 of Hebrews we read a rather gruesome list of those who died for their faith in Jesus. Is this that time foretold to us when many of our brothers and sisters in Christ will fall as martyrs? We need wisdom in this.

There is always one way to wisdom and that is by prayer to our loving Father in Heaven. He always waits for those who will ask of Him. Churches and individuals must ask for themselves. It is not for me to say do this or do that when God the Father is just a prayer away. Please do not put a pastor or a pope or, gulp, me between you and God; go to Him in prayer. And then, accept His answer: it will lead to something wonderful!

In Christ,
Bucky