06/20/23 TAKE UP THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT

06/20/23 TAKE UP THE SWORD OF THE SPIRIT

If the men of America were true soldiers of the cross, and if they wielded the Sword of the Spirit as they ought, then we would have kept darkness in the shadows (social and political), or we would either lead our country into the Light of the Gospel or replace the darkness in high places with truth, justice, and liberty (not to be confused with Libertinism). 

God sometimes has used force and even violence to bring about His plan, but being a tool of God does not necessarily mean that the tool was the instrument of His choice. God would rather win men to justice and righteousness than force them into submission. 

When men trust in horses and chariots, or the arm of flesh, then they are doomed to disaster and failure. Sadly, neither the Sword of the Spirit (a bloodless weapon, neglected by the carnally minded) or the sword of steel has protected America from the bold invasion and overthrow by wickedness. 

It is not too late for individuals to turn from sin, though it seems to be too late to turn our country back to civility, justice and stability. God, the Holy Spirit, spoke through Peter telling us to save ourselves from this wicked, dark, godless world. 

Acts 2:40
40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward (perverse, crooked, corrupt) generation. 

DLG... salvation is personal, but it is the responsibility of fathers (primarily) and mothers to lead their children out of darkness and into the light of Christ; and it is the responsibility of Christians (the local church believers) to evangelize as many neighbors as they can. 

As the song (Rise Up O Men Of God, written by William P. Merrill) says, 

1. Rise up, O men of God!
Have done with lesser things.
Give heart and mind and soul and strength
to serve the King of kings. 

2. Rise up, O men of God!
The kingdom tarries long.
Bring in the day of brotherhood
and end the night of wrong. 

3. Rise up, O men of God!
The church for you doth wait,
her strength unequal to her task;
rise up, and make her great! 

4. Lift high the cross of Christ!
Tread where his feet have trod.
As brothers of the Son of Man,
rise up, O men of God! 

And, as another song (Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus, written by George Duffield) says, 

1. Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
Ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner,
It must not suffer loss:
From vict’ry unto vict’ry
His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished
And Christ is Lord indeed. 

Chorus.Stand up for Jesus
Ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner,
It must not, it must not suffer loss. 

2. Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
The trumpet call obey;
Forth to the mighty conflict
In this His glorious day.
Ye that are men, now serve Him
Against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger.
And strength to strength oppose. 

3. Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
Stand in His strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you;
Ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the Gospel armor,
Each piece put on with prayer,
Where duty calls, or danger,
Be never wanting there. 

4. Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
The strife will not be long:
This day the noise of battle,
The next the victor’s song;
To him that overcometh
A crown of life shall be;
He, with the King of glory,
Shall reign eternally.