“If You Want Peace, Prepare for War”

Our enemies lie in wait, seeking to destroy us. Whether it’s the jihadis, the Chinese government, communists, radical secularists, or false teachers, many people would cheer if Christianity ceased. Add to this the entire realm of sinister spiritual forces who seek to stop the gospel of Christ from spreading (Eph 6:12). This isn’t fearmongering. Just read the Bible, watch the news, and study human history. I fear too many Christians have their heads in the sand about the threats Christian values face in the world and the razor thin margins of safety we have. As Ronald Reagan said, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction.”

Let me give you an incredibly sad story about one of the greatest churches ever built. Have you ever heard of Hagia Sophia? Google it. This church was built by Justinian the Great in 537 AD. This beautiful church served as the cathedral of Constantinople, the capital of the Eastern Roman Empire. It still stands today but take a wild guess what it is now—a mosque. The Ottomans conquered Constantinople in 1453, turning its greatest church into a building for false religion. What was the center of Christendom in the East is now a mosque. Think about that. Another sad story: have you ever heard of the “Jerusalem of the East?” That label refers to the capital city of North Korea: Pyongyang. In 1907, before the Korean War, Pyongyang experienced a great evangelical revival. This revival was marked by widespread confession and repentance. North Korea was a stronghold of Protestant Christianity. The capital city served as a hub for missionary work, hosting Korea’s first Presbyterian Seminary. Now look at North Korea. This isn’t just ancient history. These are ongoing lessons for Christians to recall.

An ancient maxim goes like this: if you want peace, prepare for war. We must be vigilant. Awake. Aware. Discerning. Courageous. Peter tells us this, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Pet 5:8). While we pray for our enemies, we must resist our enemies, tooth and nail. With our elections coming up, vote for godliness. Don’t be apathetic. Tell your brothers and sisters in Christ to vote. If you see them sleeping, wake them up to the battle. Our adversaries are not idle. May the Spirit of the living God protect us and use us in this holy battle for the truth of Christ.

Pastor Chance Sumner