December 3, 2006 The Warrior's Cross

[Gabe Suarez]

As Christians we spend a great deal of time in study about the teachings of our Lord in reference to "Picking Up Your Cross." Often, the presumption in Bible commentaries is that a "cross" is some sort of an unpleasant or painful test or burden for a Christian. As Christians...particularly Christian Warriors, we need to look beyond this meaning of the cross to its meaning as a calling or mission to us today. Think of it as a test or a challenge from the Lord.

The cross was certainly intended as the most horrific of punishments by the Romans. It must have truly been a truly ugly way to die. Nevertheless, the cross was Our Lord's mission. He went willing to the cross to set us free from our well-deserved penalty. Thus the cross, among other things, was Jesus Christ's mission on earth. To us, to pick up our cross signifies an example...accepting our mission, or our calling.

There are many missions in the church body. Some Christians are called to be teachers. Others are called to be pastors, prophets or evangelists. Some of us are also called to be warriors. That is the cross that God has put in front of us.

Think of yourself standing just outside of a shopping mall or a school when the shots from an active shooter ring out. As a warrior, God has put a challenge in front of you. “Run and save yourself”, says the enemy. What would Christ do? He would advance boldly to the sound of the guns and taske out the minion of evil sent to kill the innocents. Are you up to the task? Are you strong enough to pick up THAT cross? Are you strong enough with the help of the Lord God of Hosts?

In conversations with a brother - who is also a Pastor, he told me that in a recent conference they were asked what their "cross" was. He said his particular cross was to die protecting his flock - if he had to, to kill an evil man who would come to harm his flock - if he must, and to be an example to his flock at such times. Needless to say, and sadly, many in attendance had no idea how to take that.

In Luke 22:36-38, Our Lord advised His men to go out and buy swords. He mentioned swords specifically - they were to sell stuff and get a sword if they currently didn't have one. Two of them returned with a pair of swords, to which Jesus replied, "It is enough". Thus "some" of us are called to do more than simply provide for our family's protection (a responsability of ALL Christian men).

Some of us, roughly 15% of us, are called to take the sword in hand and stand ready to physically defend the church. We may be called to die protecting those who cannot protect themselves. We may also be called to kill an evil man to protect others. Both cases are moral and biblically appropriate at the given time.

How do we pick up that cross and carry it today? Do we have to enlist in the army? Must we all become police officers, or reserve deputies? No. Neither of the Apostles who returned to Our Lord with swords was officially in any man's army or police force. They were civilian fishermen of all things!

Any man can take up that cross if he's called to do so by studying the fighting systems of our modern day and being prepared to effectively resist evil men with moral physical violence, relying on God's strength for victory.

We don't do much with swords today, but a man called to this would study the pistol, which is the best "defensive" tool today. He may study other firearms as well...just in case. He would study the knife, as well as unarmed defensive methods. He would not obsess about it, but he would keep himself strong and alert in the event that his calling was put to the test. See Psalm 144:1.

Truly we fight against "principalities and powers" as Paul notes in Ephesians 6, but often those principalities and powers take human form and must be resisted physically as well as spiritually, with God's help, by those who are called to pick up the sword, and utterly destroyed. Destroyed not only as an act of good will to the good, but as an example to them that evil can and must be resisted.

The warrior's cross means to be prepared to fight evil men, and even to kill or to die in the act of that resistance, out of love for the innocent, and with God's divine help, protecting those who are called to do gentler things in the Lord's name.

[Echo_Four]

Excellent message. This is being forwarded to all of my friends that are still in the Marine Corps and "over there".

Gabe, thanks for showing this side of yourself here as well. There are countless people that think they're the only one in the situation of being a Christian and a warrior.

[michael]

Originally Posted by Gabe Suarez

The warrior's cross means to be prepared to fight evil men, and even to kill or to die in the act of that resistance, out of love for the innocent, and with God's divine help, protecting those who are called to do gentler things in the Lord's name.

Yes.

The burden and responsibility are heavy, but they must be born by those who Christ has called for this duty. We must strive to become the most adept at our craft as we can, and prepare for that day, should it come.

[Avenger2616]

Thank you Gabe.
That truly is something I needed to hear.
-A-

[boris]

there are a lot of folk even within the family of God who don't get this. Thanks for the Good WORD!

[JPH]

Originally Posted by Gabe Suarez

The warrior's cross means to be prepared to fight evil men, and even to kill or to die in the act of that resistance, out of love for the innocent, and with God's divine help, protecting those who are called to do gentler things in the Lord's name.

So Gabe – When are you going to lose the tac training thing and pick up your calling to become a preacher

Great post - thanks

[Gabe Suarez]

I can't do both??

[limamike55]

Very well said Gabe. Thank you for posting this.

[peregrine]

Nice piece.
It could really sink it home for a lot of people who are sitting on the fence.

[Old Tired RN]

For as you deliver lessons here from time to time, you are preaching via the written word as I'm sure you probably do by the spoken word from time to time. Also, I want to compliment you for even having this section to your forum which in my view makes your forum stand head and shoulders above others.

Humbly & Most Respectfully, RN