Triumphant or Militant?

What is the nature of the Church on earth? Triumphant or militant? Victorious or warring? Do we know the difference?

A winning Church is a trophy-holding, crown-wearing, undefeated community of faith on top of their game. King of the hill. Top of the heap. Successful. A warring Church never arrives. It's always in one struggle or another. It may be as brave as a loin and as tenacious as pit bull but it never arrives. It is in the process of becoming.

A winning Church displays the kingdom of God polished and gleaming in a trophy case. A warring Church understands God's kingdom is an alien kingdom and can only be partially realized now.

A winning Church doesn't suffer because it's made a deal with society: "Don't bother us; we won't bother you." A deal that dilutes Christianity. Once the deal is made the triumphant church concentrates on itself --- expands its holdings, increases its resources, multiplies its programs, builds its buildings. Its only struggle is to keep people coming, giving, and happy.

Christians in a warring Church don't fit the mold. They live risky lives. They're too focused on the fight to be concerned about externals. Little else matters. Hardly the warm, feel-good, comfortable Christianity we're accustomed to.

First century followers of Jesus wouldn't recognize winning Christians. We do. They're just like us. Somewhere we forgotten or conveniently ignored our Lord's warning: In this world you will have trouble. But take heart I have overcome the world. John 16:33.

Let's be clear. Serious followers of Jesus Christ are at odds with society. They've made a deal with God and are arch enemies of the god of this world. They don't fit in. They can't conform. They will be exempt, overlooked, rejected, demeaned, hurt, tortured, and killed. They're at war and they know it.

Victory comes later.

A warring Church understands that friends of the world are enemies of God James 4:4 and if anyone loves the world the love of the Father is not in him 2 John 2:15. And the warrior also knows: Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers from them all Psalm 34:19.

Triumphant or militant? It's our choice.