Enter the Warship!

Alt. Title “Prepare for War”

Introduction

Conflict is inevitable. While that might not be the softest start for a sermon, one can hardly be surprised when the sermon topic deals with war! The Bible uses war language throughout both testaments; it can definitely be named as one of the Bible’s prominent themes. But what kind of war are we engaged in? And what are the rules of engagement for a people who were rescued by love, and called to love even our enemies and do good to those who hate you (Luke 6:27). The context of the commandment I just referred to is important. Jesus called 12 men to follow Him, and immediately told them that it would cost them to do so. According to Jesus, there are basically two kinds of people: those who would suffer for His sake and receive the promised blessing, and those who chose to live for themselves- and still experience suffering, leading to an unhappy end. So before we begin to discuss what the war is, let me start by saying what it is not: optional. We were born into a universal epic, one that begins with a Holy Triune God who creates humanity in His image & likeness. Enter the protagonist: an angelic prince who rebels against his Creator, and influences humanity to follow him in disobedience, causing mankind to “fall” from our place. Enter our hero, the Victor & Redeemer Jesus Christ. He defeated the enemy, and offer freedom to all who were effected by the fall. This brings us to you & I, called out of darkness (sin/disobedience) into the light of Christ. But the battle still wages; having lost the war, the enemy has only one remaining goal: to take as many of the “image bearers” down with him. Since we must fight, let’s discuss some basic strategies on how to win!

In our text, we find Paul defending himself against his critics. Despite the fact that he has been charged with being “bold” and “authoritative” only in his letters (v. 10), Paul refuses to take the bait and prove himself to people. This brings me to my first point: the only person you need to prove anythnig to is Jesus- and He knows your worthiness (which is to say, your lack thereof without Him). The Lord saved you, forgave you and called you; we should never be more concerned with what people have to say than who He says about you. I must add this caveat for the less mature in the Faith: God will never contradict His Word, or defy the order He has established in His Church. God is a God of order; and in our fight agaist the rebellion of His order, He will NOT honor YOUR rebellion against Godly authority.

Paul appeals to the church using language that is deeply personal and emotional- he grounds his appeal in the Lord’s meekness and gentleness. Here he gives us an example for leaders and laity alike. He points to those characteristics of Jesus that portray Him as slow to take offense, willing to bear reproach, and self-sacrificing. These, Paul says, are my model for ministry. These, Paul says, are the spirit in which I make my appeal.

Paul’s approach also provides us with our next teaching point: stay focused on the mission. In both natural and spiritual warfare, one of the most tried & proven tactics is to distract your enemy. Although Paul is defending himself, he is also using the situation he’s in to teach the church, and thereby allow God to be glorified in his situation. How can we allow God to get the glory out of the situations we find ourselves in?

And now, we finally come to the primary text itself. 2 Cor 10:3 says, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh”

The word “flesh” is generally used by Paul in one of three ways: (1) as a neutral reference to the physical body; (2) as a pejorative reference to the fallen, sinful nature; or (3) as a reference to the standards of excellence as the world judges excellence. Here he has in mind this third notion. Their accusation against Paul is that he is unimpressive, and therefore ineffective. They ironically looked for anoutward display as “proof” of spiritual power. Thus, in their minds, one who walks “accordingt o the flesh” is manifestly devoid of the power of the Spirit. Paul destroys this myth by separating fleshly tactics from the more effective spiritual tactics of our warfare. In fact, the words “war” and “warfare” in these verses is translated from the Greek word, “στρατεία (strateia)” from which we ger the modern term “strategy”. This brings me to my next point: we must learn the discipline to find & follow strategy.

In 2015, I had the privilege of hearing Dr. Don Davis, one of the great modern american theologians, speak in a conference. He reminded me of an important skill which the US army has used to become the most formidable fighting force on the planet. That skill is: repetition. They drill solders in practice over and over until they can act instinctively- until certain necessary actions are loaded into their muscle memory, so they are not overwhelmed it battle. Dr. Davis pointed out that, “We win the day by working the plan, not in miraculous rescues & dramatic shifts. One step at a time, one hill at a time, one battle at a time- that is how we become voctorious.” (D. Davis, “Unshakeable Kingdom, Unwavering Warrior” 2015). So start small, and don’t quit.

V. 4 “ for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.”

Paul gives us the next crucial piece for winning in any conflict: get the right tools for the job. After 20 years in Afghanistan, we should’ve learned one painfully obvious lesson: you cannot defeat an ideology with bombs and guns; you must fight an ideology with a better one; you fight lies with truth. And the victory will not be won overnight. Paul’s listeners would have almost immediately understood that Paul’s references to fortresses (or stronghold in older English) meant that he is referencing siege warfare tactics. When your enemy is entrenched in a walled fortress which took time to build, which they will undoubtedly defend- it will not fall overnight. In some cases, the attacking army had to wear down the adversary; they waited for their food, water & other supplies to run out. The world, and those who are entrenched in ungodliness will not simply surrender the worldview that took them a lifetime to build. Do not be surprised when they defend it! But NEVER forget our weapons are more powerful than any natural tools; which is not to say that we cannot act in the natural realm with spiritual intent. So we pray for our leaders- AND we study the issues and vote; we seek the wisdom of the Holy Spirit, and yield our natural abilities and resources to His will!

V5-6: “We are destroying speculations (Greek logismos, arguements) and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ, and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.”

Please make note of the strong language used here: “Destroying…punish[ing]”. Now, please note what these terms are directed to: arguements (thoughts) and disobedience (wrong actions). Our adversary is not the PERSON, but the falsehood in which the enemy of ALL would like to keep them imprisoned. Paul adds this qualifier: “When YOUR obedience is complete.” We cannot merely preach the Gospel, but we must live it out obediently as well.

V7. “You are looking at things as they are outwardly. If anyone is confident in himself that he is Christ’s, let him consider this again within himself, that just as he is Christ’s, so also are we.”

The first part of V 7 is more likely this is a command, “Look at what is before your eyes,” i.e., look at the existence of the church in Corinth. Paul is pointing to the fact of the church to support his claim that his ministry is truly “of Christ”. Paul challenges his listeners to look at the evidence- to see things for what they really are- and act accordingly.

Our perception will greatly impact our outcomes. Our perception determines whether we are truly Christian or not. A focus on the outward/fleshy perspective of an issue with cause us to miss the true conflict, and therefore miss the true solution. A doctor who misdiagnoses a patient will treat the wrong illness; in the same way, a soldier who missidentifies his enemy, or miscalates their strengths/weaknesses, will risk fighting the wrong battles & losing the war.

We defend the truth, because truth matters. In closing, I urge you to consider this startling claim of Jesus- or so it would have seemed initially to His listeners, especially His critics- in John 14:6 “Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.” Jesus doesn’t just claim to speak the truth; He says, “I AM the Truth”. So, in my humble assessment, when we defend the truth, we ultimatle defend He who was revealed to be the Ultimate Truth- Jesus the Christ.