Memorial Day

As I was thinking about Memorial Day yesterday in Church, a thought occurred to me. I don't think that Christians rally around Memorial Day enough as so many people focus on solely the patriotic aspect. Now I'm not attempting to say we should honor our veterans less, by any mean. I have several people in my family who were or are in the armed forces. However, what about those who have died in the battle for Christ??

Wikipedia defines Memorial Day as a holiday that "commemorates U.S. men and women who died in military service for their country. It began first to honor Union soldiers who died during the American Civil War. After World War I, it expanded to include those who died in any war or military action." But too often, in the intellectual age that we now live in, an age where it is increasingly hard for many to walk by faith and believe in what they cannot see, we have forgotten the very backdrop against we are born: we are born into a world at war. What is so sad is that modern "Christianity" has often completely dismissed the battle and even the Devil, himself.

While the book of Revelation makes no doubt about the fact that Satan has already lost and the Lord's victory is not in doubt, the battle is still raging- a fight over each and every one of our souls. And don't forget, as Christians, we are called to fight in that epic battle every day of our lives. Read Ephesians 6:10-20; I don't think it's just a metaphor or something. God is telling us to prepare to fight. As verse 12 says, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly places." Jesus Himself said we are to storm the gates of Hades and the gates will not stand against the onslaught of the Church (Matthew 16:18).

So on a day built to honor those who have fallen in battle defending our country and securing our freedom, I think it is even more necessary to remember those who have died defending our God and the spiritual freedom that it has brought us. Perhaps one of the best known Christian martys, Jim Elliot, once said, "That man is no fool to give what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose - martyr for Christ." No, make no mistake, I'm not trying to tell you to go and get yourself killed for Christ. But we all, and I'm also speaking to myself here, need to go where the Lord is calling us, regardless of the consequences. And we need to honor and remember the lessons of the great martyrs who have gone before us to pave the way and further God's kingdom. Jim Elliot was not killed because he was stupid or happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. He knowingly went to a dangerous tribe in South America because he knew that they deserved to hear the Gospel. Read the following:

After their wedding, Elliot continued his work among the Quichua Indians and formulated plans to reach the Aucas.
In the Autumn of 1955, missionary pilot Nate Saint spotted an Auca village. During the ensuing months, Elliot and several fellow missionaries dropped gifts from a plane, attempting to befriend the hostile tribe.
In January of 1956, Elliot and four companions landed on a beach of the Curaray River in eastern Ecuador. They had several friendly contacts with the fierce tribe that had previously killed several Shell Oil company employees.
Two days later, on January 8, 1956, all five men were speared and hacked to death by warriors from the Auca tribe. Life magazine featured a ten-page article on their mission and death.
"They learned about the Aucas as they and their wives were ministering to the Quichua-speaking and Jivaro Indians. The Aucas had killed all strangers for centuries.
"Other Indians fear them but the missionaries were determined to reach them. Said Elliot: 'Our orders are: the Gospel to every creature."
Elliot wanted God's will. It ended in his death, but it was a death whose seed still brings forth fruit for the Gospel's sake.
Many Aucas eventually came to accept Christ as Savior when Elisabeth Elliot bravely returned to share Christ with those who killed her husband (intouch.org).

Just a few thoughts to think of on your Memorial Day.... God bless!