The American Knight

The following article I wrote over a year ago. As I've been thinking about the upcoming elections I really felt I should share this. I want to let you know right now it may come across as harsh and unloving, but sometimes I think it's important to call things as we see them. It's important for us as Christians to rise up and do what we should have been doing from the beginning. I'm not here to promote a political agenda, although I do feel it's extremely important to vote. We must remember that it is God who raises people up, so as you go to the polls to vote remember to pray that God's will would be done, and I hope you will consider and be challenged by what I've written here.



The American Church has become complacent. We sing songs, and raise our hands at the right time in worship. We say a hearty “Amen!” when the pastor gets excited; and then, leave forgetting what we had just said amen to. We know the words to say, that make everyone including ourselves believe we are strong mature Christians. We are not lacking in knowledge. We read the "How to" books. We go to church every Sunday. And mid-week services too! And yet we’re lacking!

James 1:22 (NKJV) says, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”

We’ve been hearers of the Word to long. We sit and listen, and don’t even realize our hearts are hard, our fire is dying, and our love is growing cold. We sit satisfied in the knowledge that we are saved, and forget that there’s more to do. We listen to the message and think, “Wow I hope so and so heard that, they really need that!” You’re a Pharisee! Never hearing the Word for yourself and being changed! We have a mission!

Jesus says in Matthew 11:12 (NKJV) - "... the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force."

It's time to get out of our cushy Christianity. We're in a war, yet we're more concerned with learning than with doing. Satan is systematically taking over our country and we're letting him; as long as he lets us be comfortable, we're okay with sitting back and not causing trouble. We're more concerned with our comfort than our Christianity! Too afraid we might offend someone! Or we may be laughed at! Oh no!

God help us!

Ephesians 6:11-17 (NKJV) - "Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God"

We are to put on the whole armor, yet most of us are too fat from lack of exercise to fit into it. Our heads are inflated with pride. Our bellies are fat from milk. Eating and sleeping like babies. Barely exercising what we've been taught. Our feet are soft and tender, uncalloused, more suited to the air at the end of a recliner than to the beaten earth of the battlefield.

Our shield is perfect! We pride ourselves on its condition: polished, immaculate, not a single dent or scratch. It hangs as a showpiece above our mantels. Proudly proclaiming, "I am a Christian." But should the need arise, the arms that would need to carry the shield are scrawny and weak. The weight would soon overwhelm.

Our sword, like our shield, is in perfect condition. Used a little more often, but more like children with sticks pretending they're in battle than of the rigorous training of the seasoned soldier. We've trained with sticks long enough! It's time to take our training to the next step. It's time to stand up and use our swords in battle!

Should we ever need to wear our armor we'd have a difficult time just standing, let alone fighting. And yet, we don't find this odd. We aren't curious as to why we so seldom need our armor. And should we wonder, an answer soon arises, "You don't need to use your armor, you don't have to face the struggles others do because you’re a good person. You don't have to fight," the voice coos, as it rocks us back to sleep.

LIES! Wake up and listen to the voice rocking you to sleep! That's not the voice of your Master, but the voice of your enemy; lulling you to sleep as he comes and robs you. What does he take? Your purpose! Instead of fighting for the ones God has given you, the people you are responsible to reach, teach, and train, you're sleeping comfortably in the knowledge you're saved. We've been deceived into thinking that it’s only the pastor's job to reach the lost; however, we all have the same call: "Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15, NKJV) We have all been given this call! This isn’t a commission to a few select people! It’s a call to every person who has called on the name of the Lord to be saved! God is telling you to “Go!”

Our castles (our churches) are nearly empty, the training fields deserted. Instead of the clank of swords, the sound that resonates is the groan of the glutton over-satisfied to the point of vomiting. We eat up the word for ourselves and so seldom share it. We're more interested in our social calendars than in our society which is lost and dying.

We've sat at Jesus' feet. We've received His instructions. And yet we’re still sitting, thinking, “One day…” Now is the time to stand up. Now is the time to go! Exercise your faith. Prove your faith by your works. Go and preach! Reach out to the lost.

Put on your armor for the war is at our doorstep, the miniature battles we've faced are nothing compared to what we are up against. There's only one way to win: Stand up. Put down the "How to" book, you know what you need to do. You don't need someone else explaining it to you again. You don't need to hear another message before you go out. You need only to stand. God has equipped you. We need only do what we've been taught. Put faith to your works and see the salvation of your God. It's time to stand up! It’s time to go to war!

Today is the day of Salvation. Today is the day to do what God is calling you to do! Today, tell your friends about Jesus Christ. Today, step out in faith. Today put on your armor! Today go forth to battle! Today!

Stop being satisfied with your own salvation! Look around there is a world that is lost and dying, and you are content in the knowledge you are saved! Really? God has saved you for a purpose; if He didn’t expect you to fulfill his mission, then He would have taken you home after He saved you! Don’t be satisfied with the crumbs of Salvation when God desires to fill you to overflowing with the power of the Holy Spirit! You have a mission, you have a purpose.

Rise up! Become what you were meant to be in Christ! It’s time!