Our Place on the Battlefield

“Soon the battle will be over. It will not be long now before the day will come when Satan will no longer trouble us. There will be no more domination, temptation, accusation, or confrontation. Our warfare will be over and our commander, Jesus Christ, will call us away from the battlefield to receive the victor’s crown.”  Thomas Watson

This week commemorates the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I. On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918, the “War to End All Wars” concluded.

Peace was temporary. The past century has been fraught with war after war, punctuated by hopeful periods of peace.  For Christians, the cessation of hostility is not true peace. Peace flows from our internal recognition of Christ’s ultimate victory. As Jesus prepared to depart this world, He told His disciples, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

Our longing for peace can make us vulnerable. As we look forward to eternity and the fulfillment of Christ’s ultimate victory, we forget that our enemy never rests, and he honors no ceasefire. He continually looks for opportunity to attack our faith. Peter reminds us of our foe’s incessant threat: “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” (I Peter 5:8) Pray for peace. Work for peace. Demonstrate peace. But never drop your guard.