Clash of Swords (7)

Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5.20-22

Prepare for conflict
In Thessalonica the Christian movement was exposed for what it truly was: A work of God’s Spirit that was turning the world of ancient Rome rightside-up for Jesus Christ.

The conflict which arose in Thessalonica came about because Paul and his companions opposed the dogma of Caesar – the commanding worldview of their day, sustained and enforced by the civil authorities – and dared to practice another King, even Jesus Christ. Paul’s letters to the church in Thessalonica were meant to provide guidance and encouragement as they persevered in the task he had set for them, and prepared for what would undoubtedly be more conflict to come.

What the first Christians experienced as they opposed Caesar, we can expect as well. The clash of swords, between those who wield the Sword of the Spirit and those who abide under the sword of men, must continue in every generation. So it will be important that we, too, prepare ourselves for the conflict of worldviews that following King Jesus necessarily creates.

Paul’s closing words to his friends in Thessalonica suggest some excellent guidelines for us to follow.

Three guidelines
First, don’t go looking for trouble!

Paul says we should “abstain from every form of evil.” Christians are not provocateurs; we are not political firebrands seeking to overthrow the existing order. We are not fifth-column subversives plotting the violent overthrow of the existing regime. We are ambassadors of the King of righteousness, peace, and joy, and we bring a message of transforming grace, truth, and hope.

If we want to make sure our message is heard, we shall have to live in the righteousness, peace, joy, grace, truth, and hope the Kingdom of Christ promises. At the same time, we must be very careful and loving as we oppose the dogmas of our age and help others to see the folly of the secular, materialist, and pragmatic path.

Second, test everything!

The Lie, as Paul refers to the worldview of unbelief (Rom. 1.18ff), insists that God is irrelevant and human beings are the measure of all things. This view of life is so widespread and pervasive these days that it has come to affect and shape everything in our culture. The Lie is the witness of the fool, who says “There is no God” (Ps. 53.1), and “God is not concerned about me or my life, and I have no accountability to Him. I can do what I want, as I want, with whomever I want, and it’s none of God’s concern.”

If we aren’t careful, for example, about the way we use our time, the diversions in which we become involved, and the manner in which we conduct our relationships, we might find ourselves living the Lie more than the Truth, squandering opportunities for Kingdom progress rather than making the most of them (Eph. 5.15-17).

We must be constantly vigilant against the Lie, testing every choice and opportunity by the Truth that is in Jesus. If we allow the evil of the Lie to find a home in our soul, we’ll be ill-prepared to survive conflict when it’s necessary to do so.

Third, follow the Spirit and Word of God!

We “quench the Spirit” when we do not rest in His teaching, seek His fruit, and live in His power. The Spirit has an agenda for our sanctification – that we might eagerly and effectively do the will of God (Phil. 2.12, 13). Our task is to understand His agenda and to pursue it by dwelling in the Word of God and allowing the Word of God to dwell in us richly (Jn. 15.4-7; Jn. 17.17; Col. 3.16). We must not “despise” the Word of God but love it, consume it, and live in it, by the power of the Spirit, if we are going to be equipped for every good work and every trial that might come our way.

On earth as it is in heaven
We are followers of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings. We take the Sword of the Spirit into all our relationships, roles, and responsibilities. Our goal is to see Christ’s Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven, so that righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit can reach to every person and all of culture. We want God to be glorified, and we live in the hope of that glory, according to the ethics of the Kingdom, and for the task of making disciples and renewing culture wherever we go. As we follow this calling we can expect to find ourselves at odds with the commanding worldviews of the day. We do not despise the sword of government, for we recognize that God can use government for good. But we are not naïve about the state of things in our world, where pragmatism, materialism, and secularism have become the dogmas du jour of our unbelieving age.

Clashes of these two swords – the Sword of the Spirit and the sword of men – are inevitable, for we have set a course of opposing everything that vaunts itself against the knowledge of God, whatever guise that may take (2 Cor. 10.3-5). We need to make sure we’re prepared for such conflict when it arises to challenge our mission, to glorify God in all things.

For reflection
1.  How prepared are you for conflict with the worldview of pragmatism, materialism, and secularism?

2.  What are some things you can begin to do in order to become better prepared for the clash of swords?

3.  What are the most important things you’ve learned from this study?

Next steps: Talk with a pastor or church leader. What can you do to help the members of your church become better prepared for the clash of swords?

T. M. Moore

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This week’s study, Clash of Swords, is a bonus part 6 of a 6-part series on a Biblical view of government and politics, and is available as a free download by clicking here. We cannot understand God’s view of government, or how to function in a political environment apart from faith in King Jesus and His rule. Order T. M.’s books The Kingship of Jesus  and The Ground for Christian Ethics to supplement our studies of God and government.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.