Today’s reading: Acts 5:34-42
Today’s episode about the confrontation between the apostles and the Sanhedrin is instructive about what makes for a holy warrior. There are three basic elements.
First, a holy warrior is a man of God. He is holy as God is holy. He is set apart and expends himself in living and fighting for God. As such, God Himself protects, prospers and empowers him. As such, he is invincible. As Gamaliel said, “if this endeavor or this activity is of human origin, it will destroy itself. But if it comes from God, you will not be able to destroy them; you may even find yourselves fighting against God.” (v.38b-39).
It is God who sends forth a holy warrior. It is His work that is to be done, His goals that are to be accomplished. He is about building His Kingdom, and assaulting the dominion of the enemy. He is already victorious. His holy warrior shares in that victory.
Through the centuries, many powerful people and groups and governments have fought the Church and have tried to destroy it. They have all failed. After two millennia, with many powerful people and governments having come and gone, the Church is still here.
Second, a holy warrior is consumed with zeal for God’s work. He is passionate, unrelenting, insistent, persistent, ever moving forward. He is focused on evangelization and mission, both within the Church and without, especially for families, his own and others as well. “And all day long, both at the temple and in their homes, they did not stop teaching and proclaiming the Messiah, Jesus.” (v.42).
Third, a holy warrior is willing to endure any hardship for the sake of the Kingdom. He knows he will be bruised, bloodied and even killed. He realizes the task is hard and the enemy strong, and there will be ups and downs in the struggle. But he also knows what his Master went through in order to win for us our salvation. He suffered and died. That is the holy warrior’s fate as well, and he rejoices when given the privilege to live this out. When the Sanhedrin had the apostles flogged, they were “rejoicing that they had been found worthy to suffer dishonor for the sake of the name.” (v.41). They not only endured but they rejoiced! A holy warrior wears his suffering and scars as a badge of honor.
Given these three elements, a holy warrior can never be put down or discouraged, no matter what happens. He has God fighting for him. He is totally focused on the work. He rejoices in suffering for the sake of Christ.
Ho-wa!
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