There is no treaty possible; only victory or defeat…

“Happy Holidays.”

Get ready for the mindless repetition of that compromised greeting. Minority voices have worked to silence the faith-founded expression of “Merry Christmas,” so generic substitutes are now in vogue. Today is another day of remembrance that has the potential to expose deep-seated differences…

“We are the World” is the heartfelt anthem of people whose longing for peace is based on a sincere desire for war and weapons to become obsolete. The promise of God is a future when swords and weapons will be repurposed as farm implements, and the need for battles will cease, under the endless administration of the Prince of Peace, who will be the King of Kings forever.

As Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt met to create the Atlantic Charter – before they joined forces against the evil behind World War II – they expressed foundational agreement in a hymn that mirrored their hearts. Churchill’s account: “We sang “Onward, Christian Soldiers” indeed, and I felt that this was no vain presumption, but that we had the right to feel that we were serving a cause for the sake of which a trumpet has sounded from on high. When I looked upon that densely packed congregation of fighting men of the same language, of the same faith, of the same fundamental laws, of the same ideals, it swept across me that here was the only hope, but also the sure hope, of saving the world from measureless degradation.”

When was the last time you heard that oldie-but-goodie on a Sunday morning? We’ve scrubbed our song lists from some of the standards that used to be committed to memory:

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before.

Christ, the royal Master, leads against the foe; forward into battle see His banners go!

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war, with the cross of Jesus going on before.

The Christian faith is a reality that parallels the visible world; it is the eternal certainty that makes sense out of the temporary insanity that exists in inevitable conflict with the holy reign of Almighty God. We are part of a spiritual universe that is in a time of active warfare.

Scripture defines history as an ongoing battle between good and evil – personified by God who is good and Satan who is evil – with angelic and human forces engaged in the skirmishes.

Paul was a field general in the 1st Century, extending the boundaries of God’s righteous Kingdom into territory held captive by darkness. His gospel began with redemption from sin, but quickly matured to recruitment into Heaven’s army.

Here are some out-takes from Paul’s letters to one of his young officers; hear the open disclosure of war: “Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well, holding on to faith and a good conscience… But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.  Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses… Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer… I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith…” (1 and 2 Timothy).

Today is Veterans Day. All Americans are not soldiers… but all Christians are. The question, today and every day: are we fighting the battle well, or surrendered to the enemy?

Bob Shank