Wednesday, April 15, 2009

David's mighty men

While I am a Christian pacifist I do find the list and activities of David's mighty men in Scripture (also here), inspiring and helpful. We as Christians may not be right in engaging in physical warfare, but we are most certainly in a spiritual battle. Add to that, there are certainly physical dimensions in this warfare (see here, as well).

These men could do great things individually, and in Christ so can we. But they also worked together, and were a mighty army in the Lord. This should be true of us today. Not that we see ourselves primarily as those who are at war, but to deny this aspect of our lives in Christ now, is a mistake. It's most certainly a different kind of warfare, but just as deadly with the stakes even higher in a true sense.

The thought of David's mighty men helps me press through a difficult task that may seem at least somewhat mundane. But all is to be done to the glory of the Lord, and we're to do so out of love for God with our entire being and doing, as well as out of love for others, as we love ourselves.

We are in a battle not against humans, but against spiritual forces and entities. Thank God for the times of rest, but this is an essential part of our lives now, and we'd best arm ourselves with that knowledge as we seek to live out our lives together in Jesus, in love as lights in this world.

6 comments:

preacherman said...

I love the stories of David's mighty men and what they can teach us today. Thank you Ted for this fantastic post on a wonderful King. I hope you have a great day today! :-)

Anonymous said...

this spoke into my life today.

thank you for your continued faith and communication.

Ted M. Gossard said...

Kinney,
I was tested maybe with reference to this post, so it wasn't fun, but still good, good because that's a part of what this is all about, of course.

Hope your day was good, and that you are getting better! Praying for you.

Ted M. Gossard said...

Nancy,
Thanks so much. That's encouraging. This spoke to me as well, as indeed all Scripture is meant to in some way, shape or form.

Every Square Inch said...

Ted

I know you may not agree and I respect you for your views... but sometimes the battle against spiritual forces may include physical force.

Ted M. Gossard said...

ESI,
I certainly respect that belief, and you may be right.

I just don't see provision made for the Christian to do so in the New Testament. It's radical, and confounding, but that's the nature of the kingdom of God in Jesus, in this world.

Thanks!