Making Allies of Enemies
Being the small country it is, Liechtenstein never had much of an army. In fact, the last time it had one was in 1868. But in 1866, during the Austro-Prussian War, Liechtenstein sent 80 men to guard the Brenner Pass between Austria and Italy. When the war was over, 81 men (not 80!) returned.
Where did the extra man come from? History offers many versions, with most suggeting the extra man was a defector who either simply "liked" the Liechtensteiners or decided life and work in Liechtenstein was preferable to whichever country he was from. Either way, this soldier decided to turn his back on his past and ally himself with the Liechtenstein forces. As such, the army enjoyed a net gain of one man from marching into "battle."
As Christians, we are at constant odds with the world around. As we march into battle do we see the unsaved as enemy combattants to be conquered, dragged away as prisoners of war? Or do we see them as potential allies, whom we can welcome into our ranks, marching home from battle arm-in-arm with them?
In a world at war, be a Liechtensteiner!
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations ..." (Matthew 28:19a, ESV)
"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and whoever captures souls is wise" (Proverbs 11:30, ESV).
"My brothers, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and someone brings him back, let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins" (James 5:19-20, ESV).
We Cannot Control Our Enemy
During the meeting of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, one of the members moved “that the standing army be restricted to no more than 5000 men at any one time.”
George Washington, being the chairman, could not offer a motion, but he turned to another member and whispered [sarcastically], “Amend the motion to provide that no foreign enemy shall invade the United States at any time with more than 3000 troops."
As Christians, we find ourselves engaged in a great, cosmic battle for souls. We can know the strategy of the enemy. We can study his tactics. We can see what he does in the lives of others and we can see the path of destruction that is left in the lives of those who follow him. What we cannot do is control him.
But we can put on the whole armor of God so that we are prepared for the fight.
Jesus Is The High-Water Mark
A high-water mark is the maximum rise of a body of water over land. In the world of high finance, this term is used to refer to the highest value reached by an investment fund. In the Civil War, the high-water mark of the Confederacy was achieved at Cemetery Ridge near Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the farthest point reached by Confederate forces during Pickett's Charge on July 3, 1863.
In the pursuit of morality, the high-water mark is found in the words and actions of Christ.
The high-water mark of morality isn’t loving those who love you but learning to love those who hate you. This high-water mark was first expressed by Christ when he said, “Love your enemies,” and it was first lived out by Jesus when he went to the cross to give his life for every sinner who, by their sins, made themselves the enemy of God.
If, contrary to your own nature, you are to rise to the level of God’s high-water mark of morality, you must turn to Jesus. He alone has made the way for you to follow, and only he can provide you and me with the love necessary to walk in it.