My men’s group at CLC is studying the various battles we face against the enemy as Christians. I pointed out that when we come under attack our first instinct is to seek the safety of our weekly meetings or the sanctuary and the worship services, but we are not called to hold the fort – we are called to advance the Kingdom. The way to advance the Kingdom is to go behind enemy lines and pick off Satan’s foot soldiers one at a time, introducing them to Jesus and the love of God.
A while back, we had a visiting pastor at our Sunday services who had been the pastor of a church in Joliet, Illinois, before planting another church out of state. He recounted how the gang activity was on the rise in Joliet. It seemed like every other day there would be a shooting victim, many of them young children caught in the crossfire. His church decided something had to be done. They vowed that for every innocent person taken out by the gangs, they would send a prayer team into that neighborhood and share the Gospel until three of them were take out, giving their hearts to the Lord. God gave them protection and the opportunity to witness and in a short period of time the crime rate began to drop and the streets became safer. That is the way to win the battle and advance the Kingdom.
Thinking about winning over the enemy’s foot soldiers reminds me of an old gospel song about the conversion of a notorious sinner named Jesse Taylor. These are the words of that song:
“They baptized Jesse Taylor in Cedar Creek last Sunday. Jesus gained a soul and Satan lost a strong right arm. They all cried ‘Halleluiah’ as Jesse’s head went under, ‘cause this time he went under for the Lord. Among the local taverns they’ll be a slack in business ‘cause Jesse’s drinking came before the groceries and the rent. Among the local women they’ll be a slack in cheating ‘cause Jesse won’t be stepping out again. The scars on Jesse’s knuckles were more than just respected. The county courthouse records tell all there is to tell. The pockets of the gamblers will soon miss Jesse’s money and the black eye of the law will soon be well. From now on Nancy Taylor can proudly speak to neighbors and tell them just how Jesse took up with little Jim. Now Jimmy’s got a daddy and Jesse’s got a family and Franklin County’s got a lot more man.
Every time someone comes to Christ for salvation, the angels celebrate (Luke 15:10) and Satan’s army is weakened. Those who repent of the most sins are the most grateful and the most changed (Luke 7:41-48), so they become the most powerful warriors for the Lord.