UNDERSTANDING KINGDOM WARFARE (3)

"Only the sword of the spirit is a weapon of offense. Yet, a very critical part of defensive warfare is attack, preventive attack. Interestingly also, there doesn’t seem to be any dearth of consistent teaching on the defensive weapons...But from all indications, it is not being taught in full. Why is the whole word of faith not taught as consistently as the other components of the “weapons of our warfare?"

I have been saying that I whole-heartedly welcome the dawn of reality upon church leaders in Nigeria, who have raised the clarion for self-defence among the Christian communities in northern Nigeria where fatal attacks have become regular fare. I have anchored my agreement with this stance on the position that a victor God, Jehovah Sabaoth (the Lord of the Armies of Heaven), can neither give birth to victim children; nor fail to provide for their protection. But I have also emphasised that Kingdom warfare is not about AK40s or rocket launchers or even machetes; but about weapons provided for in the word of God.

I have tried to show from the word of God that the men and women who aggravate us, who join militias or mobs to kill and to maim us, are mere tools in the hands of forces far above them. That, I have said is the import of Apostle Paul’s declaration that we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12), which in contemporary English reads: “We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world (CEV)”. I have also made the point that it is a recognition of this  truth that led the apostle to teach that “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds” (2 Corinthians 10:4).

I ended the last piece with the example of the Lord Jesus’ encounter with satan in, of all persons, Peter, the apostle, recorded in the book of Matthew, chapter 16. “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter; Get thee behind me, Satan… (verses 21-23).

Two things were pointed out from the account. First and, I quote: “Notice, the Bible says, the Lord Jesus spoke to Peter, but addressed satan. Did Peter suddenly transfigured into satan, or did satan become another name for Peter, like Cephas, for instance? The answer is neither. The Lord, in reacting to Peter’s well-meaning rebuke, saw beyond him; he recognized the one speaking through him. In other words, satan was the enemy, not Peter...”

   

Secondly, I wrote: “...Jesus knew who the enemy was, satan, a spirit. He knew that a bazooka won’t dislodge it. So, what did He do? He used the appropriate weapon: the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (see Ephesians 6: 17). He used “the weapons of our warfare”, which “are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds” He resorted to the word which the Bible assures us is, “is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). God intends that words should be a major weapon of our warfare. It was for the Lord Jesus. That’s why in the book of Revelations, it was said of him that …”out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword” (1:16), and was later described as “he which hath the sharp sword with two edges” (2:12).”  

  

As is clear from all of these, there is a need for us to not just familiarize ourselves with the weaponry, but to really learn to use them until we become so proficient in them that we are always battle-ready. As we have seen, Apostle Paul identified the whole armour of God in verses 14-17 of Ephesian 6 in these words: “Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (emphasis added). 

Interestingly, all but the last are defensive weapons. Only the sword of the spirit is a weapon of offense. Yet, a very critical part of defensive warfare is attack, preventive attack. Interestingly also, there doesn’t seem to be any dearth of consistent teaching on the defensive weapons. This is understandable because, they are seen as basic and foundational to our faith. But so is the word and this is widely recognized. But from all indications, it is not being taught in full. Why is the whole word of faith not taught as consistently as the other components of the “weapons of our warfare? Abuse may have been among the reasons, but I wish to categorically state that it’s the enemy at work!  This is because once the whole word is taught and grasped and many more of us become proficient, he will score fewer and fewer victories. That scares him. (CONCLUDES NEXT WEEK).

UNDERSTANDING KINGDOM WARFARE (2)

"We must understand that for as long as we profess faith in the saving grace of the Lord Jesus and embrace the salvation package that’s ours in Him, satan can only reach us through devious schemes as in using men and women, including, sometimes, people who love us and want the best for us, like Peter was to Jesus".

I have stated that we agree with those Christian leaders who have publicly called on our brothers and sisters constantly under attack by people of other religious persuasions, to rise up in self defence. I have, however, also denounced any resort to physical force as in wielding, guns, machetes or any other man-made weapons of war. Instead, I have advocated the use of the spiritual ammunitions provided for in the Bible.

This, I predicated on the position so eloquently articulated by the Holy Spirit through one of Paul, the Apostle’s letters to the church in Corinth. He had told them us (and them) that though we are no different from other people in that we are as flesh and blood as everyone else, yet, we are not expected to  “war after the flesh”. We are never to depend on physical arms and ammunition, because, in his words, “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds”

This theme, I explained last week, can be clearer understood though a close look at the sixth chapter of  the apostle’s letter to the Ephesians, which reads: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.   For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (verses 10-17).

I had posited that those eight verses “offer great insight into the Kingdom concept of warfare” and that, “verse 12 is very fundamental.” In that verse, Apostle Paul said in contemporary English: “We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world (CEV)”. As I said last week, this means that we do not go after “the men, women, boys and girls armed to the teeth bating for our blood; we recognize they are tools of the enemy; so we set our sight on the enemy, which is a spirit and can only be fought in the spirit.” 

An incident recorded in two of the gospels will aid a proper understanding of this concept. Let’s take the Matthew account in chapter 16: “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men (Matthew 16: 21-23). 

Notice, the Bible says, the Lord Jesus spoke to Peter, but addressed satan. Did Peter suddenly transfigured into satan, or did satan become another name for Peter, like Cephas, for instance? The answer is neither. The Lord, in reacting to Peter’s well-meaning rebuke, saw beyond him; he recognized the one speaking through him. In other words, satan was the enemy, not Peter.

This is how we are to see all attacks on us, if we are to live the kingdom life to which we have been called. We must understand that for as long as we profess faith in the saving grace of the Lord Jesus and embrace the salvation package that’s ours in Him, satan can only reach us through devious schemes as in using men and women, including, sometimes, people who love us and want the best for us, like Peter was to Jesus. And, of course, as in the frequent cases of bloody, mindless attacks against our brothers and sisters in parts of Northern Nigeria and many other parts of the world, he will also raise individuals and groups in whom he would deposit hatred for us, just as God deposited His love in us. 

A second principle we must learn from this incident is this. Jesus knew who the enemy was, satan, a spirit. He knew that a bazooka won’t dislodge it. So, what did He do? He used the appropriate weapon: the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (see Ephesians 6: 17). He used “the weapons of our warfare”, which “are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds” He resorted to the word which the Bible assures us is, “is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). 

God intends that words should be a major weapon of our warfare. It was for the Lord Jesus. That’s why in the book of Revelations, it was said of him that …”out of his mouth went a sharp two-edged sword” (1:16), and was later described as “he which hath the sharp sword with two edges” (2:12).  What is true of the Lord is true of us, after all, didn’t the Bible also declare that, “…as he is, so are we in this world” (1 John 4:17)? (CONTINUES)

UNDERSTANDING KINGDOM WARFARE

"In other words we don’t take on the men, women, boys and girls armed to the teeth bating for our blood; we recognize they are tools of the enemy; so we set our sight on the enemy, which is a spirit and can only be fought in the spirit."

In concluding my five-part serial, “2011 – Year of the Church”, last week, I stated that, a consensus seemed to be building around the need for Christians to rise up and defend themselves against attacks by enemies of their faith. Borne out of frustration with the seeming inability or unwillingness or both, of governments at all levels to protect these citizens, such leaders as Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) president, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor; Reverend Yuguda Midurvwa, who chairs the Borno State Chapter of the umbrella body, and renowned evangelist, Uma Ukpai were reported in the media to have lent their influential voices to the call for self-defence. 

 I then stated my position in these words:  “It is a consensus that I subscribe to; but the question is how? By taking up AK 47s and fighting back or even making violent preemptive strikes? No, a thousand times, No! The Bible is so clear about this when it says: “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled” (2 Corinthians 10:3-6). In other words, the Word is our weapon. Like every weapon we need to learn to use it and practice with it till be become proficient in it…”  

Since that piece went out, I just couldn’t get away from the feeling that the need to dwell a bit more on the weapon of the Christian’s warfare and its place in the situation we have in northern Nigeria and many parts of the world is an imperative. This is much more so because, adherents to faith in Jesus Christ have been directly or indirectly labeled as legitimate targets not just of attacks but of annihilation in many parts of the world. And it is becoming as if, like the enemies, our recourse has either be to raw, physical force, as in setting up militias or be ready to lovingly embrace martyrdom. It’s an amazing misreading and misunderstanding of Scripture. And that’s why I have said that the Church has to rise up and begin to teach the people about the power of the word not just in changing and improving their spiritual, financial and material well being, but also in defending themselves against physical attacks. In other words, we need to begin to propagate the kingdom perspective to warfare.

The very first point to note here is that a victor-God, styled as Jehovah Sabaoth (the Lord of hosts), 257 times in the Bible, cannot give birth to victim-children. Therefore, if Christians have become perennial victims, it is either we are not children of God or something has tragically gone wrong. I think it’s the latter and what’s gone wrong, is that we either do not know that the weapon exists or we do not know how to use it. 

The second point is to note is that the same Jehovah Sabaoth is also Jehovah Shalom (God of peace). It is in pursuit of His peace agenda that He gave us His only begotten son that those who believe in Him may be restored. This is important because, the lie has taken root in the church that love is our one and only weapon.  A powerful verse of scripture used to back this position is in the book of Mathew: “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you (5:44). It came straight out of the mouth of the Lord Jesus Himself. So, it cannot be treated with levity. But a proper understanding of scriptural principles will reveal the truth.

As already quoted above, the Holy Spirit speaking through Apostle Paul, told the Corinthians that though we are flesh and blood, we do not “war after the flesh”. In other words we know better than to depend on physical arms and ammunition. That is why the apostle went on to add that “the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds”

For a clear understanding of this truth, let’s listen to the apostle in his letter to the Ephesian church. His words: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God” (Ephesians 6:10-17). 

These verses of scriptures offer great insight into the Kingdom concept of warfare. Verse 12 is very fundamental: “…we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” or as one translation puts it, “We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world (CEV). In other words we don’t take on the men, women, boys and girls armed to the teeth bating for our blood; we recognize they are tools of the enemy; so we set our sight on the enemy, which is a spirit and can only be fought in the spirit (CONTINUES).

2011 – YEAR OF THE CHURCH? (5)

Evang Uma Ukpai... defend youselves!

"That report included a call from Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) president, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor “on Christians in that part of the country to rise up to defend themselves whenever they come under attack by these mindless fundamentalists, stressing: ‘It really does not make any sense for a peace-loving Christian to watch his family members being slaughtered without doing anything to defend them’”. It also quoted renowned evangelist, Uma Ukpai, as saying, “there will be no end to the religious crisis in the North unless the Christians in the area take it upon themselves to defend their lives and property”... "

It doesn’t rain, it pours! The enemy of our souls has been pouring destruction and death on our brothers and sisters, young and old, in parts of Northern Nigeria. He has found willing tools in an agglomeration of misguided jihadists, empire-minded ethnic champions, and self-serving political warlords who then by force of indoctrination and financial inducement unleash their enforcers upon innocent people. It’s not a new phenomenon; it’s just a new phase of a war that can only become fiercer and costlier in lives and limbs unless decisively dealt with NOW.

If you wondering “why now,” I urge you to read (again) the earlier parts of this serial. I shall only repeat here one of the major planks upon which the serial and my postulations in it rests, namely that: “2011 and the first few years of this Jubilee decade have become of such strategic historical significance, essentially because of the comparative state of readiness of the Church as exemplified by the recent battles and victories already referred to. To put it as we did the last time, this writer is of the conviction that “for the first time in a long, long time, the Church seems willing in these days of the Lord’s power” (see Psalm 110:3).” This particular point is clearly demonstrated by the unequivocal rhetoric and actions of leaders of the church prior to and during the on-going voter registration project and the clear signals being sent to political actors concerning the conduct of the impending elections.

I have already identified the elections, and the need to protect the lives and properties of Christians in the country, particularly, the northern parts, as two major areas where the Church must go beyond the tame, some say lame, tentativeness of the past. I have also posited concerning the elections, that the Church must go beyond mobilizing Christians to register, select, vote and protect (rsvp) their votes.

The Church, I wrote last week, “must offer guidance to its congregation about how to select and vote. This needs to be done at two levels. The first is to encourage people, as individuals and groups to seek the face of God on who to vote for at each level. Our goal ought to be to cause the body of Christ to use the ballot to enforce the will of God; not our individual preferences. This is a critical assignment. The second level is at the level of influencing those who might not be spiritual enough to discern the voice of God and do not trust other vessels. The church must provide a kind of issues platform for such people. For instance, such a platform might include a demonstrable commitment to eradication of illiteracy; a welfare policy that assists the poor and the weak; denunciation of corruption, including public declaration of assets; and commitment to scriptural position on sexuality and sanctity of life. If this takes a Manhattan Declaration type of document, so be it.”

In this connection, I might as well add to the political platform, a commitment to the protection of the religious and property rights of Christians; including the right of churches to own property, all over the country, but especially in the North, where such rights are routinely denied.

Back however to this issue of protection of lives and limbs from the perennial rampage of the enemies of our faith and the role of the Church in it.  As I said last time, as recently as last week, “reports of fresh killing of our brethren in Maiduguri were hitting the airwaves and calls on Christians to “defend yourselves” were already going out..”A Vanguard newspaper report of that particular incident authored by Sam Eyoboka read in part: '... A Deeper Life Christian Church pastor and three of his neighbours were killed by fundamentalists. It was gathered that Michael Medugu, a district pastor in charge of Hausa church, was killed by a gang of four fundamentalists in his pharmaceutical shop while dispensing drugs to customers at about 7.05 p.m., leaving his wife and seven children to mourn him… Megudu had just returned to his shop after the day’s Leadership meeting in his church, where his pastor, Ama Awokoya, incidentally called on Christians to increase their prayers for peace in the region, saying: ‘Must they bring dead bodies to the church before we intensify prayers?’ How prophetic that turned out to be…”

That report included a call from Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) president, Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor “on Christians in that part of the country to rise up to defend themselves whenever they come under attack by these mindless fundamentalists, stressing: ‘It really does not make any sense for a peace-loving Christian to watch his family members being slaughtered without doing anything to defend them’”. It also quoted renowned evangelist, Uma Ukpai, as saying, “there will be no end to the religious crisis in the North unless the Christians in the area take it upon themselves to defend their lives and property”. During the week, Reverend Yuguda Midurvwa, who chairs the Borno State Chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), also added his voice in agreement.

 

So, a consensus seems to be building that Christians now need to defend themselves. It is a consensus that I subscribe to; but the question is how? By taking up AK 47s and fighting back or even making violent preemptive strikes? No, a thousand times, No! The Bible is so clear about this when it says: “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled” (2 Corinthians 10:3-6). In other words, the Word is our weapon.

Like every weapon we need to learn to use it, and practice with it, till be become proficient in it. The Church has to arise in this respect in two ways. Those already proficient must see it as a duty to begin to use the word to protect their brethren. More critically and urgently, teachings on the efficacy of the “sword of the Spirit” must now take preeminence in all our churches without jettisoning our love message. (CONCLUDED)

2011 – YEAR OF THE CHURCH? (4)

Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor

"The first is to encourage people, as individuals and groups to seek the face of God on who to vote for at each level. Our goal ought to be to cause the body of Christ to use the ballot to enforce the will of God; not our individual preferences. This is a critical assignment. The second level is at the level of influencing those who might not be spiritual enough to discern the voice of God and do not trust other vessels. The church must provide a kind of issues platform for such people. For instance, such a platform might include a demonstrable commitment to eradication of illiteracy; a welfare policy that assists the poor and the weak; denunciation of corruption, including public declaration of assets; and commitment to scriptural position on sexuality and sanctity of life."

Two major triumphs in recent history, I have suggested, have brought the Nigerian Church to these defining moments – an historical juncture where it is being presented with options and opportunities from which it must, of necessity choose; a choice, which once made, will define its place in the national scheme of things.

The triumphs as pointed out in the earlier parts of this serial, were the successful transition from the former executive of Christian Association of Nigeria to the current Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor-led executive, in spite of the initial acrimony that attended the process. The second was the convening of the Christian Consultative Forum of Nigeria, which met, dispassionately surveyed the status quo, read Christians and their leaders something akin to the riot act in a communiqué and was mandated to draw up an action plan to refocus the body of Christ.

As stated last time, “of the several fronts where the church must make critical choices and take courageous actions, the April general elections and the opportunity for the Nigerian nation to chart a new course politically, economically and socially that they present.  And as recent events have confirmed, there’s also the never-been-more-urgent need for the protection of the lives and rights (religious and civil) of Nigerian Christians particularly in the north of Nigeria”.

And as has also been explained, 2011 and the first few years of this Jubilee decade have become of such strategic historical significance, essentially because of the comparative state of readiness of the Church as exemplified by the recent battles and victories already referred to. To put it as we did the last time, this writer is of the conviction that “for the first time in a long, long time, the Church seems willing in these days of the Lord’s power” (see Psalm 110:3).

The CCFN communiqué, I have been saying, clearly indicated “a dispassionate and, I believe, largely Holy Spirit-led diagnosis of the situation we faced then and still do today” and “can…provide the way forward for the Church as it seeks to be “salt and light” to our nation. The CCFN was a body convened by Pastor Ayo Oritsejafor as President of Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, during the political crisis, which resulted from the ill-health and subsequent death of the late President Umar Yar’Adua.    

We noted last time that the communiqué emphasised in virtually every clause, the need for the Church to put its house in order, if it’s going to be able to “lead in the transformation of our nation…”

In this connection, it says, “the Church cannot be transformed if it has not been working to develop its own leaders and champions amongst its members. The church must therefore instil discipline amongst its members, sanction erring members and develop new leaders in the way of the Lord… restore the right values, re-establish high standards in corporate and public governance and social behaviour, and to adopt good discipline, and establish a reliable system for ensuring consistently good performance… its leaders must lead with integrity, honesty of purpose, and speak out forcefully against the ills of country’s leaders. The church must also teach and develop its members into leaders and must promote integrity and discipline, encourage austere living and generosity and discourage…materialism.”

 

Now, it is not clear how far the Forum has gone with its action plan. But one thing is certain, there is no better time to birth that plan than now when the convener of CCFN is the helmsman at the umbrella body, CAN and at this point where virtually everybody expects the Church to play a critical role in taking the Nigerian nation to the next level. To delay any further is to miss an historical opportunity to preserve this nation. Irrespective of the prevalent opinion that prognosis to the effect that the corporate existence of the nation is under severe threat, the reality is that those prognosis can only be dismissed to our peril. And you see, dear reader, it’s not just about our politics and economics; it’s about the morality, the values, the spiritual force that drives both.

The election provides the church an opportunity to step in with the force of Christian ethics to enable us get it right this time. For instance, the Register-Select-Vote-Protect (RSVP) campaign is quite good and the enthusiasm with which Nigerians are trooping out for the current voter registration exercise is indicative of a welcome change. But, I tell you, the Church must offer guidance to its congregation about how to select and vote. This needs to be done at two levels. 

The first is to encourage people, as individuals and groups to seek the face of God on who to vote for at each level. Our goal ought to be to cause the body of Christ to use the ballot to enforce the will of God; not our individual preferences. This is a critical assignment. The second level is at the level of influencing those who might not be spiritual enough to discern the voice of God and do not trust other vessels. The church must provide a kind of issues platform for such people. For instance, such a platform might include a demonstrable commitment to eradication of illiteracy; a welfare policy that assists the poor and the weak; denunciation of corruption, including public declaration of assets; and commitment to scriptural position on sexuality and sanctity of life. If this takes a Manhattan Declaration type of document, so be it.

Space, unfortunately does not allow me to take on the issue of protection of the lives and properties of Christians in the nation, generally but in the north of Nigeria in particular. As I write this, reports of fresh killing of our brethren in Maiduguri was hitting the airwaves and calls on Christians to “defend yourselves” were already going out. Do I agree with such calls and what choices are available to the Church? Please join me as I conclude (finally) this serial next week. Thank you.