Day 16 -- The Church, Pt.3

Another metaphor that is often used for the church is that of an army. I have to admit a biased against this metaphor. I'm not anti-military. Not at all. I thank God for all those who have served their country through the armed forces. I believe that we still have the freedoms we have because of those who have been willing to sacrifice their lives in military conflict. I am proud to live in a country that values freedom and am proud of those (some of my own family) who have served our country in the armed forces. The military is a vital necessity of our freedom.

I'm just a person of peace and believe that we should exhaust all avenues of peace before choosing war. However, I would also note that many who are career military and who have served in WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, or Iraq -- those who have seen actual combat -- would be the first to tell you that as much as they love the military, they hate war. Those who have fought in war are some of the strongest advocates of peace. I applaud that.

Having said all that (and admitting my biased ahead of time) I would also say that the metaphor of the church being an ARMY involved in a spiritual conflict is certainly a strong biblical truth. And if you think about it, the ARMY is a place that has a lot of the biblical characteristics of the church. Let me list a few.

1. The army is involved in a battle against a very real enemy -- so is the church. The enemy is NOT the world or other people. The enemy is evil and injustice, wherever it is found. The enemy is a spiritual enemy.

2. The army operates as one unit with many members, each member doing his/her job, and each job is very important to the whole. It is vital for every member to carry his/her weight for the army to be victorious. So it is with the Church.

3. The army becomes a family. There are very few things that will make you "closer than a brother" than being in a foxhole with someone. When you depend on each other for your very lives, you become, sometimes, closer than family. So it should be with the church.

4. The army has a mission to complete. There are objectives, goals, and tasks that must be completed when you are a part of an army. It becomes imperative that everyone do whatever it takes to win the battle and defeat the enemy. Every member of the army understands that they exist to make a contribution for the fulfillment of the mission. So it should be with the church.

5. The army preaches discipline. If there is one thing you learn in the army it is discipline. When the nation is at war and you are going through "boot camp," you know that everything you are learning could save your life. In that setting, the army is hard work. The old army slogan says it all: "In the army we accomplish more before 8am, than most people do all day." The army is the symbol of hard work and discipline. So it should be with the church.

6. The army is not a place of descrimination. Now I know that there are those in the U.S. Army who are racist and those who would descriminate. You find folks like that in all walks of life. But when you are in the heat of battle you don't care the color of skin, or the background of the person who is watching your back. And when he/she saves your life, you go completely color-blind. Also, when the country is at war the army will take anyone who loves this country and is willing and able to fight. So it should be with the church.

7. The army understands hiearchy. The army understands authority and command. The army understands who is at the head. When the Commander-and-Chief (President) gives a command, everyone listens and obeys. Jesus is the head of the church. He is our Commander-and-Chief. The church must understand the authority of Christ and be prepared to hear his voice and obey.

8. The good army is well equipped for battle. It makes sure it has every tool it needs to win the war. So it should be with the church.

9. The army has a tremendous responsiblity. In times like WWI and WWII, the fate of the entire free world rested on the armies of the allied forces. The church also carries the immense weight of responsibility. The eternal future of the entire world rests on the work God will do through HIS Church.

10. An army must be fed. Wars have been lost and armies defeated for lack of food and water. Armies can lose a war, not on the battlefield, but in the mess tent for lack of food and water. So it is with the church.

WOW! I have to admit that the ancient metaphor of an ARMY for the church is powerful. It seems apparant that any overarching metaphor for the church will need to somehow incorporate the idea of an army. We'll talk more about it next time ... stay tuned ...

Ask God to help you fight the good fight!

Blessings,

Pastor Ellis