Have you been a coward in the fight? ‘You have no enemies, you say? Alas, my friend, the boast is poor for anyone who has mingled in the fray of duty, that the brave endure, must have made foes! If you have none, SMALL is the work that you have done. You’ve hit no traitor on the hip, you’ve dashed no cup from perjured lip, you’ve never turned the wrong to right, you’ve been a coward in the fight.’ –No Enemies poem by Charles Mackay (1814-1889)
It’s not possible for a blood-washed born-again follower of Jesus to worship God in heaven and serve Satan on earth at the same time! It is the god a person worships, honors, and serves daily FROM earth that essentially owns their heart and service. Jesus said: My kingdom is not of this world. This world loves the things of darkness more than light. [John 3:19] I shine a light! The world hates Me because I denounce it and testify that its deeds are evil. [John 7:7]
My kingdom is not of this world, it is of heaven, it is of God, it is of truth and holiness, it is different from the ways of this world. When My kingdom touches the kingdoms of this world it exposes the evil hiding in the dark. There is a difference between LIGHT and darkness, GOODNESS and wickedness, SIGHT and blindness, FREEDOM and slavery, RIGHTEOUSNESS, and evil. MY KINGDOM IS DIFFERENT FROM THIS WORLD and whenever it appears, this world hates it.
How can any man or woman saved by Jesus and called by God not live in such a way that their life impacts the world for the better? Whoever says he abides in Christ ought himself also to walk (live, move & follow) just as Christ walked (lived, moved & followed). [1 John 2:6] You must know following Jesus Christ faithfully will never give you a reputation where all men speak well of you and are pleased with all you do and say. One day the world will love what you do for them the next they may shout, ‘CRUCIFY HIM!’
No matter how much love is shown, charity is given, and how many miracles they see, if there exists love for darkness those who love darkness will persecute you, cancel you, and dislike you. Fear of not being liked or celebrated has made tolerant cowards out of far too many once mighty warriors. A soldier living in a trench is a captive of his enemy. We see many once faithful ministers now frozen and silent in the trenches of ‘not making waves’, ‘being politically correct’ and only saying ‘nice things that don’t offend’. These attitudes don’t please God. They don’t shine a light on truth, nor do they point anyone to God. [Matthew 5:16]
Seeking to be liked by darkness is a coward’s contest and a fool’s game that only rewards its contestants with a mountain of insecurity, fear, anxiety, disappointments, and exhaustion, but NEVER victory. It is how the devil brings his enemies under his control.
Why did the authorities want to kill Jesus?
Because He was not a coward. They could not control Him, manipulate Him, or shut Him up! He questioned their lies, called out their sin, and highlighted their dysfunction. He exposed the devil as a liar, deceiver, destroyer, controller, manipulator, and accuser. He spoke truth to corruption and injustice. He identified what the devil stole and took it back. For that, consider how Jesus was treated.
As He walked in the light, spoke the truth, and called people into repentance, freedom, healing, abundant life, and hope they plotted to kill Him. Servants of darkness did not like that Jesus was a shining light in their darkness. How do you think you can speak the same truth and shine the same light Jesus did but have a different reception? A servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him. [John 13:16]
Make no mistake, speaking truth, standing up for righteousness, protecting lambs, being honest, and holding onto God’s instructions is offensive to those living in darkness. Jesus said if you do these things the world will hate you for exposing its evil.
There is no true person of faith, honor, integrity, purpose, and duty who can ever say: ‘EVERYONE LIKES ME!’ For to live these qualities is not one of popularity, but one of integrity. Trying to please all men at all times is a futile endeavor, but pleasing God is completely possible. Sadly, the testimony of many these days is: ‘MY LIFE HAS NEVER CHALLENGED THE WAYS OF THE WORLD, EXPOSED EVIL, MADE UNCOMFORTABLE THE PLAN OF DECEIVERS, OFFENDED THE HYPOCRITE, GOT IN THE WAY OF INJUSTICE, OR CALLED OUT THE SPIRIT OF SELF-CENTREDNESS. BUT THE GOOD NEWS IS EVERYONE LIKES ME!!!’
Jesus warned: “Woe to you when all men speak well of you” [Luke 6:26], because somewhere you have compromised and aligned yourself more with the kingdoms of this world rather than with the Kingdom of God. You cannot be in darkness and in light at the same time. You are either in one or the other. Jesus made the choice very obvious… Anyone who isn’t with Me opposes Me, and anyone who isn’t working with Me is actually working against Me. [Matthew 12:30]
I have a strong unction from the Lord to say to God’s faithful worshipping warriors:
What good is a life that does not bring light to darkness? It’s time to stand up and start leading this revival with courage. YOU ARE MY CHOSEN ONES! Do not fear or look for approval from men. Put ALL your trust in Me and you will overcome. I have you FULLY covered, trust Me! Rise up and be counted! It’s time to obey, get up, and be faithful as darkness tries to cover the land. What good is a life that does not bring light to darkness?
BE BOLD AND COURAGEOUS. Get out of your hole. Get out of your hiding place. Get out from under the covers. Get away from the devil’s lullaby that has hypnotized so many into a comfortable, complacent, lazy, and pointless existence! It’s time to get up and be counted among the sons and daughters of the most high God. It is time to fully wear your FULL armor and to STAND-ready. The battle is coming AND SO IS REVIVAL. When it does, who will you worship? It’s time to choose. When My Spirit starts a fresh move and persecution hits, who will you truly be found to serve?
I have written to you briefly, to counsel and testify that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it! [1 Peter 5:12] Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong. [1 Corinthians 16:13] Boldness and courage is the testimony of those who trust in the Lord! Stand firm in every fight knowing the God in you is greater than the gods of this world.
- Tell yourself loudly right now:
God is with me! He will never leave or forsake me. This is my heritage. I WILL go forward. God believes in me. No matter what happens, I am brave and courageous! I know my God and He knows me!
- Then ask yourself:
Where would a soldier be today?
What would a soldier be doing?
The brave discover answers in places where cowards can only find excuses. Calling the bold and courageous to stand up, t’s time to advance!
Where are the fearless champions of God?
Where are the followers of Christ?
All of the creation is waiting for the revealing of the sons of God. [Romans 8:19]
This is an updated edition of a post originally published on NicoSmit
Featured Image by Majestic Lukas on Unsplash
