Superhero: Armor of GOD: Shield of Faith

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If you would rather read this message, the words are provided below…

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This is Part 18 of my Superhero series. In the introduction of this series, I provided the argument that heroes are real and then I distinguished between heroes and superheroes. I also provided a list of what defines a superhero. In Part 1, we learned that superheroes recognize the absolute standard of Good and realize that evil is a mere privation of what is good. In Part 2, we learned that superheroes recognize the absolute moral standard and realize that what is wrong can only be known by the standard of what is right. In Part 3, I defined and expounded upon love because all superheroes are full of love and are compelled to act out from love. In Part 4, I explained that superheroes desire to save people from all forms of danger and/or death and this desire comes from love. In Part 5, we learned that superheroes are solution seekers. In Part 6, we saw that solution seekers are willing to sacrifice if necessary. In Part 7, we saw that sacrificial love steps forward and offers service. In Part 8, we saw that superheroes go above and beyond the call of duty. In Part 9, we saw that superheroes never give up! In Part 10, we saw that superheroes don’t need recognition – they are motivated only by love! In Part 11, we saw that relationships matter and teamwork works! In Part 12, we saw that the struggle is real; however, Jesus is the real solution to our real problems. In Part 13, we saw that despite problems, superheroes are more than conquerors! In Part 14, we saw that true superheroes do not have identity crises – they know who they are even if others don’t! In Part 15, we saw that superheroes are always ready to fight evil with the belt of Truth. In Part 16, we saw that superheroes are always ready to resist evil by putting on the breastplate of righteousness. In Part 17, we saw that superheroes are always ready to walk with purpose.

In this message (Part 18), we will see that superheroes are always ready to deflect the enemy’s attacks by holding up the shield of faith.

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Continuing the examination of the whole armor of GOD, we are now instructed to take up the shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16).

Marvel’s superhero, Captain America, has protected himself from the enemy’s blows many times thanks to the covering provided by his shield. As superheroes who sail for the Savior, we also find protection under the covering of the Shield. Just as the shield of a Roman soldier rested on a small clip attached to his loinbelt when it wasn’t in use, our shield of faith is attached to the Belt of Truth. The conclusion is simple but extremely important to understand: your faith is attached to GOD’s Word. And we are instructed to take up the shield of faith. In other words, faith is the shield. But what is faith?

What Is Faith?

“Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”
(Hebrews 11:1) -ESV

GOD’s Word provides the definition of faith while the direction of faith is implied by the context of everything else found within the Bible. Simply put, faith is believing that and trusting in. This definition of faith contains two aspects: intellectual assent and trust. Intellectual assent is believing something to be true. Trust is actually relying on the fact that the something is true. A bridge can help illustrate this point. Intellectual assent is recognizing that a bridge is a bridge and agreeing that it is designed to support a person who walks across on it. Believing that a bridge is designed to support the weight of a person who walks across on that bridge is the intellectual assent. But actually walking across the bridge is trusting in the bridge that it will actually support your weight and you will not fall through to your death.

Faith In What Or Whom?

It’s not enough to merely have faith. Who or what we have faith in matters. Muslims place their faith in Muhammad and Allah, Hindus place their faith in a multitude of different gods and/or goddesses, and even atheists possess faith. For example, atheists would need to have faith that everything was created by nothing, out of nothing, and for no purpose or that the universe has always eternally existed, yet it exists without reason. They would also need to have faith that everything in nature with a design is without a Designer. Atheists would need to have faith that materials could somehow collaborate in order to generate life which produces emotions, thoughts, and a will to act. They would also need to have faith that mere matter in the shape of a brain is capable of producing thoughts and that those thoughts are somehow material rather than immaterial. Atheists also place their faith in their own bodies, believing that they can fall asleep at night and still wake up breathing the next day. They also possess faith by trusting that the food another person made for him/her isn’t poisoned, that friends or co-workers aren’t engaged in a conspiracy to harm him/her, that the law of gravity won’t suddenly stop working as expected, or even that the sun won’t explode today. Every time an atheist makes plans for the future, they are doing so in faith that tomorrow exists. Many atheists also possess faith that they were created via purposeless evolution yet somehow evolved with the purpose of becoming better and better as time goes on. Oddly enough, some atheists even have faith that life on other planets exist without having any proof of such life in existence. In fact, many atheists have faith that black holes exist even though they have no personal experience that would allow them to believe in such a thing. So, in whom or what should we place our faith? It matters. Should we place our faith in our works? In religion? Well, for Christians, this faith that is our shield is not mere belief that GOD exists; rather, it is the belief that GOD exists and the trust in GOD that He will ultimately bring about what is best and what is right. Our faith is in Jesus.

Believing that Jesus was a historical figure who died from crucifixion is not enough. Even the demons believe that GOD is real and Jesus died on a cross (James 2:19). As I stated in my other article, “What Does It Mean To Be A Christian?“, belief is only the beginning in a Christian’s walk of faith; in fact, faith will launch the Christian into action. A Christian is also to perpetuate a healthy habit of confessing his/her sins, repent from sinning, walk by faith, live righteously, and live out the great commandment of loving GOD and loving others while fulfilling the great commission. Belief is only the first half – trust is the other half! We must personally and fully rely on the death of Christ as the atoning sacrifice for our sins. We must not merely believe that Jesus is the Bridge, but also walk across the Bridge of salvation which Jesus graciously provides to the other side, trusting in the Bridge to support us and save us. This is saving faith. The faith GOD requires of us for salvation is belief in what the Bible says about who Jesus is and what He accomplished and fully trusting in Jesus for that salvation (Acts 16:31). Why is this definition of faith so important? Why must trust of the unseen promise accompany acknowledgment of facts? Because “without faith, it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). Without faith, we cannot be saved (John 3:16). Without faith, the Christian life cannot be what GOD intends it to be.

Back in ancient Greece, each Spartan hoplite came together to form a phalanx. Their trust was in each other and each individual man held up his shield with all of the other shields coming together to form one larger shield. A man didn’t just believe that other Spartans were around him, but he believed in those other Spartans to see what he didn’t see and protect him as they fought with him. As Christians, we can also come together to form a faithful phalanx; in fact, GOD’s Word instructs us to do so (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12). However, we must all come together with our trust ultimately in the Lord because it is only through the Lord that we will be saved (Psalm 118:8-9; John 14:6; Ephesians 2:8-9). Faith is the shield; our faith is in Jesus; therefore, Jesus is the Shield. All throughout the Bible, it is written that GOD is our shield (Genesis 15:1; Deuteronomy 33:29; 2Samuel 22:3,31; Psalm 3:3; 5:12; 7:10; 18:2,30,35; 28:7; 33:20; 84:9,11; 91:4; 115:9-11; 119:114; 144:2; Proverbs 2:7; 30:5). Jesus is GOD; therefore, Jesus is the Shield.

Take It Up!

Again, belief is only the beginning in a Christian’s walk of faith; in fact, faith will launch the Christian into action. Is this shield of faith a given? No. We are instructed to “take up” the shield. If you don’t pick the shield up and hold it up, it won’t do you any good. Faith without works is dead (James 2:14-26) because the lack of works reveals an unchanged life or a spiritually dead heart; a truly transformed life of faith is demonstrated by the works we do and is showcased by our fruit (John 15:8). How we live reveals what we believe and whether the faith we profess to have is a living faith.

Big Faith = Big Shield:

An illustration of a gladiator warrior character or sports mascot in a trojan or Spartan style helmet holding a sword and shield

There were typically two kinds of shields used in ancient warfare: one was smaller, carried upon the arm, and which could be moved and used with little effort in order to protect particular parts of the body; the other one was large, planted in front of the soldier and covered the whole person. It is the latter which is referred to in the text, as the word which describes it clearly shows. The word for “shield” is taken from the Greek word thureos, which was used by the Greeks to refer to a door that was wide in width and long in length. Paul paints a picture that the soldier was inaccessible and untouchable because it completely covered the soldier. And that is the kind of shield which Paul instructs us to have. Our shield is not just for small and specific protection for a particular part of the body; rather, our shield is to be a great barrier that covers us completely. So, how do we get this large shield? The greater the faith, the larger the covering of the shield. But what does great faith look like? Believe it or not, it looks like a child. We need faith like that of a child (Matthew 18:1-4; Mark 10:15). The Father wants what is best for you and will provide covering. At the end of it all, Jesus has made us a Home to dwell in for eternity (John 14:2). Seek GOD, rely on Him, and trust in Him. Just as children trust their earthly fathers, we should trust that our “Father who is in heaven [will] give good things to those who ask him” (Matthew 7:7-11). Children don’t typically ever doubt that their parents are going to love them and do what is best and what is right for their sake. Likewise, we don’t ever need to doubt that our Father in Heaven will do what is best and right for our sake (Luke 11:11-13).

Big Shield = Big Responsibility:

In the majority of cases, the Roman soldier’s shield was composed of multiple layers – usually six layers – of thick animal hide that had been tightly woven together. These layers were woven so tight that they became almost as strong as steel. Though strong and durable, the shield needed care. Because the Roman soldier’s shield was made of leather, it was important for the soldier to take good care of it. Being leather, it could eventually become stiff and breakable over a period of time. If dried out, it would form cracks and become unreliable. Consequently, a soldier had to maintain his shield by rubbing oil into the leather to keep it soft, supple, and pliable. Likewise, we need to maintain our faith with fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit. Without daily anointing of the Holy Spirit, your faith will become hard, stiff, brittle, and breakable. A faith-life that is ignored nearly always breaks and leaves a person vulnerable during battle with the enemy. Too many believers make the incredibly tragic mistake of thinking they can stay under constant protective covering and keep moving forward in the walk with GOD on the steam of their past experiences, but no believer can fuel the fire of the faith-furnace on past experiences. Our walk with GOD is an ever-present daily experience. Therefore, make sure you spend time alone with GOD every day in the Word and in prayer. 

Faith Deflects Fiery Darts:

What are the fiery darts? Doubt? Fear? Perhaps a professor launches challenging questions that shake your faith? Maybe you suddenly lose your stable job? Perhaps there is an unexpected death of a loved one? Maybe a natural disaster tears apart your home? Regardless of what these darts are, they are all surprise attacks from Satan, an ambush from the adversary. While under attack, people tend to wonder if GOD is there, aware, or even cares. If these fiery darts are not blocked, they will pierce and penetrate.

Ancient soldiers used the large shield to hide under when archers would launch a barrage of arrows toward them. In the 2006 movie, 300, even the courageous Spartans had been temporarily immobilized while hiding under their shields from arrows that rained down on them from the Persians. But as soon as the arrows stopped, they were able to march forward once again.

Scripture warns us that these arrows launched by Satan from the fiery pits of Hell are themselves fiery. The Greek word used to describe these particular “darts” is a specific and ancient word of warfare. Thucydides, the ancient Greek writer, used the identical Greek expression to depict especially terrible arrows that were equipped to carry fire. All fires start with either a single spark or a flickering flame that fans out. The goal of the arrows of fire is to cease progress of the soldiers and make sure the army doesn’t advance forward. If the soldiers can’t advance forward in the moment, they might just believe that they will never be able to advance forward and then decide to retreat and flee in fear or surrender in submission. If the fiery dart enters you, it would seem that the fire would burn within you and consume you just as the fire of Hell would also consume you. Fire-bearing arrows were used to inflict damage and/or destruction on a fortified place or an encampment. And since your body is the living temple of the Holy Spirit (1Corinthians 6:19), Satan desires to burn the building down. 

Before a Roman soldier went out to war, he typically placed his shield in water and allowed it to become saturated. The reason for this is because the enemies used arrows that carried fire. But even when those flaming arrows came at the soldier, the saturated surface of the shield would help extinguish the flaming arrow, or at the very least, prevent the flame from transferring from that arrow to him. Likewise, we need to keep our shield of faith completely saturated with “the washing of water with the word” (Ephesians 5:26). Our Word-saturated shields possess the power to extinguish the flaming arrows, or at the very least, prevent us from being consumed by the fire. Think about it: the shield is maintained by oil and water. The oil symbolizes the fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit and the water symbolizes GOD’s Word. Are you maintaining your shield? Preventative maintenance is better than corrective surgery. Do not wait until you see the cracks in your shield before you decide to care for it. All the enemy needs to penetrate the fortified structure of your living temple is one opening. 

Another thought regarding these fiery darts is that this might be a reference to arrows with poison tips. This is also a good analogy. The poison of fear spreads just as fast as fire, if not faster. For this reason, ancient Israelite soldiers were commanded to go home and not join in the battle if they were full of fear (Deuteronomy 20:8). However, GOD’s Word repeatedly informs us that we are not to fear. In fact, the phrase “do not fear” is found 38 times in the Bible (ESV), the phrase “do not be afraid” is found 33 times, and the phrase “fear not” is found 34 times. Those alone add to 105 times we are told not to fear. But then if we add how many times we have been commanded not to worry, not to be anxious, or that we should rely upon GOD, the picture becomes clear: we are not to fear. In fact, Jesus provides a good reason why we shouldn’t fear finite and fallible humans:

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”
(Matthew 10:28; see also, Luke 12:5) -ESV

From the beginning until the end, GOD has been in control and always will be in control. The first fiery dart Satan ever launched at humanity was aimed at the heart and this is why the heart is the start and we must wear the breastplate of righteousness to protect our hearts. Knowing how much GOD loved Adam and Eve, Satan targeted Adam and Eve. Knowing how much Adam loved Eve, Satan targeted Eve. The first fiery dart was doubt, denial, and deception (Genesis 3:1). The second fiery dart was pride (Genesis 3:5). The ultimate end goal of all fiery darts is to first tear your life apart and then tear you away from GOD. In fact, this is evident in the book of Job; Satan desired to tear Job’s life apart with intentions of ultimately tearing Job away from GOD. And GOD allowed Satan to launch his fiery arrows at Job so that He could prove that He is our Shield by protecting Job from his accuser. GOD’s reversal tactic was also revealed in Jesus. Jesus allowed death to overcome Him (John 10:18) so that He could in turn conquer death (Luke 24:5-7). From the beginning, GOD allowed the temporary separation of humanity from Him so that He can conquer evil and reunite us all with Him under His covering. The complete picture of our story reveals GOD’s power and love as our Shield.

The Shield Is Spiritual:

A common misconception about the shield of faith is that this shield will protect us from all physical follies and mayhem from mismanagement. The shield of faith is, in fact, spiritual. In Daniel 3, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego held up their shields of faith while in the fiery furnace. King Nebuchadnezzar threatened to throw them in the fire if they did not fall down and worship the gods and the golden image he set up. The three men of faith essentially responded by proclaiming that GOD could remove them from physical harm if He wanted to do so, but that even if GOD didn’t save them from the physical fire, they knew they would never encounter the spiritual fire of Hell (Daniel 3:17-18). It is important to realize that these men of faith were thrown into the physical fire. Their faith did not prevent them from experiencing the physical fire in the furnace. In this specific story, GOD miraculously intervened and acted as their physical shield. But that’s not always the case. 

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were mentioned in the book of Daniel and so Daniel should also be examined. Daniel also held up his shield of faith in the den with lions (Daniel 6:22). But why? Because he refused to cave into demands to worship the king and was discovered praying to GOD (Daniel 6:11). If society ever gets to that point again, we must know how to respond in faith so that we will honor the Lord rather than people (Acts 4:19-20; 5:29). Remember: Jesus told us that if we refuse to acknowledge Him before people on Earth, He won’t acknowledge us before the Father in Heaven (Matthew 10:32-33).

What fiery darts have you experienced? If you haven’t experienced any fiery darts, I assure you that you most certainly will. Fiery darts look a lot like persecution and/or tribulation. It would be an enormous mistake to assume that the shield of faith completely covers our earthly bodies or physical possessions. The shield of faith is a spiritual shield and covers our soul in eternity. Both apostle Paul and the Lord Jesus warned us in advance that in this life, we will have trouble and experience pain and suffering; however, Jesus also gave us a promise and a reason to trust in Him:

“Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
(2Timothy 3:12) -ESV

“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
(John 16:33) -NLT

Is your shield of faith paper thin and easy to tear apart or is it like Captain America’s shield and able to withstand the hardest of blows? Is it oiled and saturated and able to extinguish the flaming arrows? How confident is your trust in the Lord? This shield doesn’t just stop the arrows, but it also extinguishes the fire. It’s easy to have faith when everything seems to be going right, but how is your faith when it all starts to fall apart? When everything seems to be at its worst, do you trust GOD to have your best interest? Consider the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11. What can we learn from the heroes of faith?

GOD declares us righteous when we have faith and trust in Him (Genesis 15:6). What you do cannot be separated from what you believe (Deuteronomy 27:9-10; Matthew 7:21). Jesus said no one’s faith in Israel was greater than the centurion who believed Jesus could accomplish His will by mere command from a distance (Luke 7: 2-10). We need to move from belief that to trust in. Are you willing to walk on the Bridge, even if that bridge appears to be shaky and unreliable? Even if there are gaps between the planks? In China, there exists a bridge that’s about 500 feet high with gaps between the planks. On this bridge, many people challenge themselves to walk by faith:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.”
(Proverbs 3:5-7) -ESV

Understand this: GOD doesn’t promise us explanations for everything, but He does promise us an escape for whatever may come our way (1Corinthians 10:13). If the escape happens to be death, then life still awaits us:

“Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
(John 11:25-26) -ESV

It all boils down to trust in GOD. We know that all things are possible with GOD (Matthew 19:26; Luke 1:37). In fact, greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world (1John 4:4)!

The one being protected by the shield is unable to fight. Getting behind the shield is a purely defensive position and all trust is placed in the shield. Sometimes we just need to wait until the fiery arrows stop falling. Not all superheroes are witnessed flying in action; not all boxers are seen swinging. Boxers sometimes need to take up their gloves and block the opponent’s attacks. While behind the Shield, we simply need to be still and know that GOD is GOD (Psalm 37:5-7; 46:10).

We may have pain and suffering in this lifetime, but the final outcome is that we are more than conquerors in Christ (Romans 8:37) and we win in the end. Jesus will wipe away every tear and we will live in eternal joy (Isaiah 25:8; Revelation 7:17; 21:4). Our faith is in Jesus and His promise of our eternal joy. The shield of faith is constructed by our belief and is held together by every word of GOD. But do you know GOD’s Word? What’s holding your belief together? What transforms your belief into trust?

And because the shield of faith is so important, it is written that above all, or in all circumstances, we are to take up the shield of faith. The phrase Paul used is taken from the Greek phrase epi pasin. The word epi means over. The word pasin means all or everything. Rather than referring to being more important than the other pieces of armor, the phrase epi pain describes position over the other pieces of armor. Therefore, it means that this shield is out in front as a covering. Faith is meant to be out in front! Faith was never meant to be held next to your side or to be timidly held behind your back. Faith is our covering. Are you covered? For a soldier in GOD’s army (or any army), the shield is not optional – it’s a requirement. Paul wrote to Timothy and emphasized the importance of this shield: “wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith” (1Timothy 1:18-19). In other words, by ignoring or neglecting the maintaining of their faith, some brothers and sisters in the Lord freely chose to travel down the wrong path that eventually led them to being vulnerable to the enemy’s attack. Again, remember that preventative maintenance on a ship is better than an emergency evacuation plan due to the ship sinking out of neglect from proper inspection and correction. 

So, does the Shield of Faith work? In the words of Peggy Carter from the 2011 movie, Captain America: The First Avenger, after firing a gun at Steve Rogers while he was holding the shield in front of him, I will also say, “Yes, I think it works.”

 

Superhero: Righteous League

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If you would rather read this message, the words are provided below…

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This is Part 11 of my Superhero series. In the introduction of this series, I provided the argument that heroes are real and then I distinguished between heroes and superheroes. I also provided a list of what defines a superhero. In Part 1, we learned that superheroes recognize the absolute standard of Good and realize that evil is a mere privation of what is good. In Part 2, we learned that superheroes recognize the absolute moral standard and realize that what is wrong can only be known by the standard of what is right. In Part 3, I defined and expounded upon love because all superheroes are full of love and are compelled to act out from love. In Part 4, I explained that superheroes desire to save people from all forms of danger and/or death and this desire comes from love. In Part 5, we learned that superheroes are solution seekers. In Part 6, we saw that solution seekers are willing to sacrifice if necessary. In Part 7, we saw that sacrificial love steps forward and offers service. In Part 8, we saw that superheroes go above and beyond the call of duty. In Part 9, we saw that superheroes never give up! In Part 10, we saw that superheroes don’t need recognition – they are motivated only by love!

In this message (Part 11), we will see that relationship matters and teamwork works!

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When was the last time you felt a desire to be loved? We all possess an innate desire to be loved. You know this to be true from your own personal experiences, but it is also evident by humankind’s creations and entertainment choices. From books, to music, to movies, love is prominent and even dominant. Even in the hustle and bustle of New York, where busy businessmen buzz by the bystanders to get to the office buildings, love is showcased and seemingly celebrated in the form of a big 13-ft. high sculpture in Manhattan:

Granted, music, books, and movies often confuse love for lust; however, even when people confuse love for lust, love is still the ubiquitous message intended to connect with the audience. But because people often confuse love for lust, it is imperative that we know and understand the definition of love. If you need a reminder as to what defines love, refer back to chapter 3 in this Superhero series: “What Is Love?“

Humans possess an innate desire to be loved because we were all created by Love; GOD is love (1John 4:8,16). GOD – who is Love – created us out from love and for the purpose to love. But because GOD gave us the great gift of free will, relationship matters. In fact, GOD’s Word reveals to us that relationship is more important than religion (Isaiah 1:10-17; 58:6-12; Hosea 6:6; Zechariah 7:4-6; Micah 6:6-8). True religion is relationship with GOD and doing GOD’s will (Matthew 7:21; 12:50; 22:36-40; John 13:34-35; Romans 2:13; James 1:22-25; 1John 2:4). But we can’t do GOD’s will and have a relationship with GOD unless we know GOD (Matthew 16:13-17; John 8:19). Do you know GOD? We can know GOD by knowing GOD’s Word and spending time in prayer. Relationship matters.

GOD gave us the awesome opportunity to experience the greatness of love through relationships. We are not meant to live life alone. If you live life alone, you will end up like the character, Chuck Noland (played by Tom Hanks), in the 2000 movie, Cast Away, who spent his time talking to a volleyball!

In Genesis 2:18-24, GOD said that it was not good for man to be alone and so He created Eve. And Adam basically responded by saying, “Wow! A suitable companion! A perfect partner!”

Love matters because relationship simply isn’t possible without it. Relationship is a reflection of love and is necessary to showcase a covenant union. And because relationship matters, fellowship matters. All throughout the Bible, it is evident that people need relationship. Even Moses needed others. First and foremost, Moses needed GOD (Exodus 3:11-12). But he also needed Aaron’s strengths in order to help fill in the gaps of his own weaknesses (Exodus 4:10-16). And finally, we see that Moses needed others because he simply couldn’t do everything by himself (Exodus 17:8-13; 18:13-27).

Teamwork makes the dream work! Teamwork works! Consider sports. Boxing and wrestling are solo sports where teammates don’t exist. The upside to solo sports is the fact that you own every victory. The downside to solo sports is that the competitor is never allowed to have a bad day or else he/she loses; in a one-on-one fight, just one bad decision can cause a great upset and loss. The following video reveals some amazing comeback fights in MMA. Take notice that for the person who lost, it took mere seconds within one bad decision to feel the devastating consequences of that bad decision.

However, in sports such as football, soccer, hockey, baseball, and basketball, the individual can have a bad day and still end up winning the game because of the other teammates. In life, we need teammates to help carry us to victory if we ever have a bad day. Consider this example: In Spider-Man: Homecoming, Iron Man saved Spider-Man. Ponder on that. Yes – superheroes save other superheroes. Why? Because no superhero is perfect.

 

Now, examine the three images (above). What do these three images have in common? What message do these three images convey? Well, the Justice League – a fictional group of superheroes – is the altruistic ideal that was created from the same concept by which the historic Peloponnesian League was formed in ancient Greece: The purpose was mutual protection. Greater than the sum of their awe-inspiring parts, an alliance was formed to respond to threats too massive for any single hero. In fact, that’s why the Avengers formed! That’s why X-Men teamed up together! Consider the legendary Spartans who were known for their elite warriors. Each Spartan hoplite came together to form the phalanx; all Spartans came together to act as one Sparta. Leonidas – the leader of Sparta – wasn’t great alone. (He was a great warrior, but that does not make him great.) In fact, Sparta wasn’t able to be great alone and that’s why the Peloponnesian League formed. Think about it: many people consider Superman to be the greatest; however, even Superman chose to be a single link in a mighty chain called the Justice League.

Muhammad Ali is considered to be one of the greatest boxers in history. In fact, during his prime, Ali often proclaimed to both the contender and audience at large, “I am the greatest!” However, in 1981, Ali was forced to admit that he had been defeated and that his body simply could no longer perform as it once had been able to do in the past. Question: if someone is the greatest, how can that person be defeated? Truly, if you can be defeated (and I assure you that you can), then you’re not the greatest.

Therein lies the problem with riding solo: losing is inevitable. The wisdom found in Proverbs 6:6 tells us to consider the ant. Though that specific passage is about work ethic, comparing a person’s laziness to the ants’ diligence, the wisdom to consider the ant still applies for this message. Ants work as a team. Teamwork works! Consider the ant: in a flood, a bunch of ants were discovered floating because they linked together so as not to sink and drown; their unity kept them alive. Together, we can accomplish more than we can accomplish alone.

Christ Himself – who is the greatest – single-handedly defeated evil, conquered death and saved us! However, Jesus also showed us the importance of teamwork by forming the ‘Righteous League,’ which consisted of 12 unique disciples (and then expanded from there). Further, Jesus emphasized the importance of fellowship which highlighted humanity’s inability to live life alone. But then again, GOD made that evident when He created Eve for Adam (Genesis 2:18-24).

The Peloponnesian League remained in existence until the 360s when Corinth and other member states were obliged to quit and separate after Sparta’s defeat by Thebes. But why did the Peloponnesian League fail? The foundation was built on quicksand: Sparta only cared about itself; the alliance was superficial. In stark contrast, it is the selfless and sacrificial love of Jesus that is the ultimate standard by which we should all strive to reflect and connect with others. Christ is the Cornerstone (Isaiah 28:16-17; Ephesians 2:19-21), the foundation on which all creation firmly stands; all other ground is sinking sand.

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.”
(Matthew 7:24-27) -ESV

Examine that comparison. Two different lives. They both build, they both hear, and they both experience the storm of life; however, only one is called wise and survived the storm. The difference is that the wise person took action after hearing Jesus’ words. The wise person lives according to the Word of GOD.

“For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.”
(Romans 2:13) -ESV

“But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”
(James 1:22) -ESV

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
(Matthew 7:21) -ESV

The point I’m trying to make is that superheroes simply cannot be superheroes if they never take action. Spider-Man would not be a superhero if he knew he should save someone but didn’t do it (James 4:17). It doesn’t matter what you’re capable of doing if you refuse to take action. That’s called wasted potential. Possessing superpowers is useless unless you use them. What good would Superman be if he decided not to use his powers but decided instead to watch television all day? But as we’ve already learned, even an active solo superhero can lose the battle due to one bad decision. Let’s consider the active ants and join together as a team. Even the superhero Ant-Man teamed up with the Wasp. But even if we come together as a team, we need to take action. A phalanx doesn’t remain stationary, hiding behind their shields. An inactive phalanx is as intimidating and ineffective as a turtle that refuses to come out of its shell. A turtle may have a fairly good defense, but how long can its shell withstand the hammer’s blow before cracking under the consistent pressure? Love is active.

The Righteous League’s Leader (Jesus) became the servant and the sacrifice in order to insure the protection of everyone who seeks to be covered; and this is why He is the Savior. From servant, to sacrifice, to Savior, Jesus Christ is the greatest insurance policy you will ever be able to obtain. Nationwide Insurance might claim to be on your side (as their slogan suggests), but they are more like a leech that latches onto your side to suck your blood. Jesus isn’t on your side – He leads the way in front of you, clearing paths before you, yet He also completely covers you! Christ doesn’t take your blood, didn’t require your blood for sacrifice like Sparta demanded of its hoplites; instead, Jesus covered you with His own blood. The Righteous League is not a superficial alliance that easily separates! And why not? Because it is a bond linked together by agape love.

We (Christians) are the Righteous League! Rise in righteousness! Not as a self-righteous and self-proclaimed super saint who believes him/herself to be superior over others – no! In fact, we huddle together in humility, knowing we are saved by grace and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9)! We are not an elite group who excludes others; rather, we invite everyone to join. It’s time to form our own phalanx; however, rather than creating a wall of physical shields that act as barriers and carrying dangerous spears that can take lives, let us hold up our shields of faith as our defense, stand firmly on the foundation of GOD’s Word, and outstretch our arms with love in order to combat evil and save lives. Get into formation! The movement is on the way! Peter instructed us to be sober-minded, alert, to keep watch, and resist the devil (1Peter 5:8-9); James also instructed us to resist the devil (James 4:7). Paul instructed us to put on the full armor of GOD (Ephesians 6:10-20). As a member of the Righteous League, I exhort you to heed the wise advice found in the Word:

“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”
(Ecclesiastes 4:9-12) -NLT

Superheroes desire to be loved as much as they love others and long for meaningful relationships. Spider-Man (Peter Parker) accepted love from Mary Jane Watson and Superman (Clark Kent) accepted love from Lois Lane. Because superheroes are motivated by love, they also long for love. But superheroes don’t just long for eros love, but also phileo love. Batman was a good fighter, but he teamed up with Robin; Iron Man was smart, but he still linked up with the Avengers; even Superman linked up with the Justice League!

As Christians, we should form a phileo phalanx of fellowship, uniting together, holding up the impenetrable shield of faith. We are the Righteous League! We are called to overcome evil by doing good (Romans 12:21). That means we are active! We are not turtles who hide in our shells! Turtles that hide in their shells don’t experience life and can’t help anyone. Christians are supposed to be active and more like the fearless Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles! And just like the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, we are not meant to live life alone! Those found in isolation become victims of the predator who preys upon the lonely. Not only was that true in the 1990 movie of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles where Raphael was targeted because he was alone, but it is also true in nature. Does not the lion hunt the isolated victim? The one who falls behind without covering is highly susceptible to attack.

Don’t allow the predator to prey upon you; instead, pray to GOD for strength and security found through fellowship. And if you need somebody to lean on, then lean on me. And then together, we will lean on the immovable Cornerstone of Christ.

 

Was GOD In Greece?

While doing laundry one day, I began reading a textbook by Oxford University Press on Ancient Greece history. In the introduction, the authors presented their case so as to prove the validity of their text as being historically accurate and reliable. Using those same points, I found it easy to use the authors’ own words to make the case for Christianity. Was GOD in Greece?

In reference to the virtually indestructible clay pots that have been found: The pot was able to hold more than the potter ever intended for it to hold and capable of storing more than he ever imagined. If the potter would have known that his creation could hold the historic time period in which he lived, what would he have placed inside that pot? Would he have stored it in an aryballoi (perfume flask) or maybe a pithoi (much larger container)?

In reference to how the written records make for a solid case due to them having been written and copied by hand yet preserved so well so that it’s a miracle, it must be said that the the writings of the Bible are reliable and accurate.

The soil in Greece may not have been good at preserving things, but what about a Qumran cave? Weren’t the Dead Sea Scrolls found within a clay pot? In this case, I believe the Potter knew the potential of His creation. That particular pot held more than mere words – it stored sacred Scripture and did so securely for centuries. Wordless objects can tell us only so much about how people lived, what they experienced, or what they thought. Thus, “It is written” is the necessary revelation of GOD and the chosen method for what has been revealed.

As the story goes, a shepherd of the Ta’amireh tribe left his flock of sheep and goats to search for a stray. Isn’t it interesting that the Biblical concept of the Shepherd leaving His flock to seek the lost is how Biblical text was found? Isn’t it interesting that a shepherd would be used for GOD’s glory? Isn’t it interesting that a book written to essentially glorify Greece still ended up glorifying GOD as the Potter and the Shepherd and also His written Word? Truly, the written Word is a miracle!

• The Potter •

Isaiah 29:16; 64:8;
Jeremiah 18:6;
Lamentations 4:2;
Zechariah 11:13;
Romans 9:20-21

• The Shepherd •

Psalm 23; 78:52,70-72
Isaiah 40:11
Jeremiah 23:2-3; 31:10
Ezekiel 34:11-16,22-24; 37:24
Micah 2:12; 5:4
Zechariah 9:16
Matthew 2:6; 9:36; 25:32; 26:31
Mark 6:34; 14:27
Luke 12:32; 15:4-7
John 10:7-18
Hebrews 13:20
1Peter 2:25
Revelation 7:17

A lesson to be learned from ancient Greece and ancient Rome: Alpha male dominance is primal animal instinct. This primal priority, which is formulated from fear, permeated the people. Consequently, competition, if not confined and controlled, becomes conquest. This demonic desire for dominance will later be showcased in the weeping of Alexander the Great and in the cheering crowd of the Roman Colosseum. If your desire is to dominate and lord over the rest, to hear others declare that you are best, then you will never know what it is to be blessed. If your desire is to control and conquer, to claim your own kingdom, your ears may hear people proclaim your name; however, your eyes will never see the true Kingdom of the Name above all names. How can you reign as king when Christ is already King? To truly conquer, you must master your sinful desires and align yourself with GOD’s will. (see, Matthew 23:11-12; Philippians 2:9-11; Matthew 10:32-33; Genesis 4:7; Revelation 3:5)

A lesson to be learned from archaic Greece can also be learned from a child’s book. Allow me to link the two together for you.

As population grew in the archaic time period of Greece, each new generation of oikoi (households) found it increasingly difficult to gain access to good land. The result was the widening of the existing economic and social gulf between the small group at the top – about 20% of the families – and all the rest. Most significant for the profits of those on top was their ability to exploit the plight of the poorest farmers, who made up a third or more of the demos (region). Many got reduced to the status of thetes.

Division of classes separated people. The ‘higher’ class tended to protect their economic and social exclusiveness by marrying only among themselves. They also cultivated an image of group superiority, calling themselves “the good” (hoi agathoi) and the ones beneath them “the bad” (hoi kakoi) and “the many” (hoi polloi). From a number of poleis come various slang terms denoting persons of inferior status. An example would be “dusty-feet” (Epidaurus). So here’s my question to you: What has changed in 2,500+ years?

The Sneetches, by Dr. Seuss, will teach you all you need to know about this. The hoi agathoi have stars upon thars.

A difference between then and now is that now our sinful and superficial society of those ‘above’ feed the fear of those ‘below’ with false hope. Now, instead of describing the inferior status of those ‘below,’ the ones ‘above’ offer the opposite in that the elites encourage effort for those ‘below’ to reach for their dreams – the dreams that are being dangled down by those above, just slightly out of reach from those below. Those below are reaching for the stars – the stars upon thars. And so long as the ones below have stars in their eyes, they will never realize that what is out of reach is their prize. Those below are carrying the ones above and being pushed down yet they foolishly believe that the ones above will soon pull them up. It is that hope that keeps them afloat. Therein lies the mistake of eternal significance: the ones below invest their hope in the people above rather than the Lord above.
(Read Psalm 118:8-9 & Romans 8:28; 12:2)

Reflection: How do the Scriptures relate? What is the goal you’re trying to achieve? Why? For yourself? For the praise of others? For GOD?

The Spartans were not allowed to get drunk because inebriation could lead to death in conditions of perpetual warfare. The hoplites were ready for the helots or anyone else for that matter. Unlike the rest of the Greeks, who made war only in the summer, the Spartans were perpetually at war with the helots and therefore needed to be prepared to fight year round. Always be alert and ready. Even the simple Spartans understood the need to always be ready. Don’t you get it? Don’t you understand? We are in perpetual warfare! That’s why Peter told us to be sober-minded and to be watchful (1Peter 5:8). That’s why Paul told us to put on the whole armor of GOD (Ephesians 6:10-20)! Complacency kills. Are you ready for what’s coming?

What do these three images have in common? What message do these three images convey? Well, the Justice League, a fictional group of superheroes, is the altruistic ideal that was created from the same concept by which the historic Peloponnesian League was formed: The purpose was mutual protection. Greater than the sum of their awe-inspiring parts, an alliance was formed to respond to threats too massive for any single hero. Each Spartan hoplite came together to form the phalanx; all Spartans came together to be one Sparta. Leonidas wasn’t great alone. (He was a great warrior, but that does not make him great.) In fact, Sparta wasn’t able to be great alone and that’s why the Peloponnesian League formed. Even Superman chose to be a single link in a mighty chain.

Christ Himself – the One who single-handedly defeated evil, conquered death and saved us – showed us the importance of teamwork by forming the ‘Righteous League,’ which consisted of 12 unique disciples (and expanded from there). Further, Jesus emphasized the importance of fellowship which highlighted humanity’s inability to live life alone. But then again, GOD made that evident when He created Eve for Adam (Genesis 2:18-24).

The Peloponnesian League remained in existence until the 360s when Corinth and other member states were obliged to quit and separate after Sparta’s defeat by Thebes. And why did the Peloponnesian League fail? The foundation was built on quicksand; Sparta only cared about itself. In stark contrast, It is the selfless and sacrificial love of Jesus that is the ultimate standard by which we should all strive to reflect. Christ is the Cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20), the foundation on which all creation firmly stands; all other ground is just sinking sand.

The Righteous League’s Leader became a servant and sacrifice to insure the protection of everyone who seeks to be covered. Jesus Christ is the greatest insurance policy you will ever be able to obtain. Nationwide insurance might claim to be on your side, but they are more like a leech that latches onto your side to suck your blood. Jesus isn’t on your side – He leads the way in front of you, clearing paths before you, yet He also completely covers you! Christ doesn’t take your blood, didn’t require your blood for sacrifice like Sparta demanded of its hoplites; instead, He covered you with His own.

We (Christians) are the Righteous League! Rise in righteousness! Not as a self-righteous and self-proclaimed super saint who believes him/herself to be superior over others – no! In fact, we huddle together in humility, knowing we are saved by grace and not by works (Ephesians 2:8-9)! We are not an elite group who excludes others; rather, we invite everyone to join. It’s time to form our own phalanx; however, rather than creating a wall of shields and spears, let us hold up our Bibles as our defense and outstretch our arms with love in order to combat evil. Get into formation! Peter instructed us to be sober-minded, alert, and to keep watch (1Peter 5:8). Paul instructed us to put on the whole armor of GOD (Ephesians 6:10-20). As a member of the Righteous League, I exhort you to heed the wise advice found in Ecclesiastes 4:9-12:

“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.”

What do these images have to do with GOD? Pisistratus, power, pride, Muhammad, manipulation, mafia, and typical tyranny… What can we learn from Pisistratus, Muhammad, and the mafia? Pisistratus was a manipulative man of Attica who wanted to be the boss, to lead and to lord. His desire for dominance led him to seize the Acropolis and with it the reins of government. Eventually, Megacles joined with Pisistratus’ enemies and drove him out. During his exile (555-546 BC), Pisistratus gathered a force of mercenary soldiers. When he returned, he conquered and became the new leader.

Muhammad, the founder of Islam, would have a similar story about 1,000 years later. Muhammad was driven out, exiled from Mecca to Medina. In both cases of Pisistratus and Muhammad, the exiles lasted nine years and ended with a victorious return due to the gathering of a large following of people willing to die for them. The major difference, of course, is that Muhammad claimed to be doing the will of the most powerful monotheistic GOD; thus, he could create his own rules while creating his own holy book.

Pisistratus, on the flip side, gave his tyranny legitimacy by maintaining Solon’s system in force while manipulating the laws so that his friends and relatives were elected archons, as mercenaries held in check potential opponents, whose children he used as hostages. Much of Pisistratus’ ways seem to be like those of the infamous mafia. The mafia members had been strategically placed in positions of power or influence and unless you were one of the ‘family’ or their friends, you were subject to them and had to play along with their rules. They could either offer you “protection” or “correction.” And believe me, you wanted the protection from the correction. If you had to be corrected, you might not have lived to learn from your mistake and might have ended up digging your own grave. Many people ended up “sleeping with the fishes” or simply disappeared never to be seen again.

But like the mafia (and every other tyrannical empire), the Pisistratids eventually crumbled, faded away, and then both Athens and Greece as a whole developed into the democratic new way. When the last of Pisistratus’ sons was expelled in 510 BC, the way lay open for the development of the democratic institutions that are associated with the city of Athens.

Humanity’s ways are finite and fallible and always subject to change. Islam, however, has always been revered as holy, and that which is holy is never subject to change unless the Holy One sanctions it. And because Islam branched off from Judaism and Christianity, they still exist even without Muhammad. (But is Judaism and Christianity complementary or contradictory?)

And this is why a secular society hates religion: the society that desires the world to change in order to suit their desires will never desire the absolute moral standard of the Holy One that is never subject to change. In a secular society, humans desire to be their own gods and make their own rules. But that is exactly what Muhammad did and it is what all cult leaders do. If the one who desires to be a god cannot convince others that he/she is a god, he/she must either convince others that he/she has been sanctioned by the monotheistic GOD (or one of the many polytheistic gods) and given authority or that GOD does not exist and all morals are relative. But we know that morals cannot be relative because to say that anything at all is either good or bad, there must be a best by which the comparison may be made. C.S. Lewis said it like this: “The moment you say that one set of moral ideas can be better than another, you are, in fact, measuring them both by a standard, saying that one of them conforms to that standard more nearly than the other.”

History has revealed that humans always associate their own prideful purposes with the idea of progressiveness, that the changes are accomplishments and that the accomplishments equate to progress. But are the changes made true progress if they only advance the agenda of the human’s concept of accomplishment? Should this be tolerated? And what of GOD’s will? Humans who desire to be their own gods are a prideful people. Pride desires power, but power can only be accessed from the Source of power. Have you considered the Source?

What does these images have to do with the Battle of Marathon of Ancient Greece and Jesus Christ? How can they possibly relate to form one message?

The Battle of Marathon of ancient Greece is one that should be remembered. But every battle is a marathon! What do I mean by that? What can be learned from that battle and the few that followed it? As told in Herodotus’ Histories, the invasion of the Medo-Persian empire upon Greece was imminent following the failed Ionian revolt, the burning of Sardis, and the falling of Eretria. Miltiades persuaded his fellow men to attack the incoming Medo-Persians at once rather than wait for the Spartans to arrive. Herodotus documented Miltiades’ stirring words: “We ten generals are split right in two, with half saying fight and the other half not. If we don’t fight now, I am afraid that a storm of civil strife will so shake the resolve of the Athenian people that they will go over to the Medes. But if we fight now, before the cracks can show in our society, and provided that the gods take no sides, why then we can survive this battle.”

And so, one particular morning in September of 490 BC, the Athenians and their Plataean allies attacked, sending the surprised and confused Persians back to their ships. I personally believe that Miltiades was right in what he said. The surest way for a united nation to become a conquered nation is for that united nation to become a divided nation. (See Matthew 12:25-30)

Unfortunately, the United States of America has become the ‘Divided States.’ The Great America is cracking; the cracks of division have become large enough to attract the attention of other nations who oppose the Western ways. Cracks that form usually get filled, whether in a good way so as to be repaired or in a bad way where what is unwanted wheedles its way in.

If I were at war with the Western ways, I would penetrate the cracks, break through the weakest points, infiltrate and then contaminate. I would seek to destroy from within. A large and mighty empire cannot be defeated by anything outwardly declaring battle against it. Even with cracks of division evident, a bold outward attack would cause the nation to unite in order to conquer the threat. And this is why the Medo-Persians lost the Battle of Marathon and the Battle of Salamis. Their attack was too bold, too blatant, and only caused Greece to unite together.

But it is not that way in our present day of AD 2017. It is extremely rare for anyone to boldly declare battle. Those who do, such as ISIS or other terrorist organizations, have most ignorantly made themselves to be targets of all civilized nations who desire peace and prosperity. Nowadays war is waged in subtle ways, the cracks of disunity allow access to the ants of anti-Christ invasion. Cracks get filled. But with what and by whom? If I, an American, am able to clearly see the division and stirring strife happening within my own nation, do you not think that those who oppose our Western ways also take notice? I assure you that they do. Ants seek to enter through the cracks, to find their way in by the path of least resistance. I assure you that the American empire is being invaded and slowly conquered. The complacent get conquered and/or killed. There is a leak and mold is growing.

George Santayana wrote, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” It is true that we must learn from the past. It is written in 1Corinthians 10:11 that GOD’s Word was written so that we may all keep Truth alive in memory and learn from the mistakes of those in the past. That’s what the entire Bible is about: it’s loving guidance. For Greece, one of the lessons they learned was from a shipwreck Mardonius suffered in 492 BC; consequently, around 482, with the inevitable invasion of Xerxes on its way, the Greeks cut a canal across Athos so that the same type of shipwreck could be avoided in the future.

The invasion of Xerxes was coming and Greece knew it. At a congress held at Corinth in 481 BC, 31 states limited mainly to Athens and the Peloponnesian League formed an alliance that historians call the Hellenic League. Nevertheless, the fact remains that only a tiny minority of the more than 1,000 poleis actively opposed Xerxes, and many fought for him. Why would those in Greece fight for Xerxes? How many people fight for Satan or against GOD because they are ignorant and don’t know what they’re doing? (See Luke 23:34) How many people don’t fight for what is right out of fear? Fortunately, there exists people who are willing to stand up and speak out against evil. Xerxes was an evil man and his only desires were conquest and to be viewed as a god. The Hellenic League represented the good who were willing to stand up against evil and fight for liberty as opposed to slavery, and for responsible democratic government as opposed to capricious autocracy and monarchy. Though the Medo-Persians won the smaller Battle of Thermopylae, in the end, they lost at the Battle of Salamis and then Xerxe’s forces were totally destroyed at Plataea in 479 BC. They lost the war. Xerxes’ pride was the reason for the fall of the Persian empire as it had once been known. (See Proverbs 16:18) However, the Persians were not decisively defeated until their conquest by Alexander the Great (from 334-323 BC).

So, what are we going to do about our cracks of disunity here in America? If we don’t fill the cracks with the uniting cement of Truth and love (Ephesians 4:15), the cracks will either be filled with lies or they will only grow larger until separation is unavoidable. A divided empire will either become a conquered empire or two opposing empires constantly at war with each other. But if two empires are at war with each other, one of them always gets swallowed.

Just like Greece that had Greeks fighting for the enemy (Xerxes) instead of uniting with the Hellenic League, America has Americans who are fighting for the enemy (the Counterfeiter and false doctrines) when they should be standing in solidarity with the Righteous League. War is waging all around us (Ephesians 6:12) and we are being bullied into battle on a daily basis; therefore, we need to put on the whole armor of GOD (Ephesians 6:13-20). But being in perpetual war demands of us to do our due diligence so that we are prepared to fight, whether in season or out of season (2Timothy 4:2). First, we must have and know GOD’s Word. We cannot use what we do not have; however, what we have is useless unless we know what it is and how to use it (see the example in Matthew 4:3-11). Next, we must have an excellent defense as to why we believe (1Peter 3:15). If you don’t know why you believe, you shouldn’t expect anyone to believe what you believe.

Only after we do our due diligence can we be allowed to go into the battlefield as a warrior. Until you are a warrior, you are a student. But as warriors, we must use the double-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12) we have to cut people free from bondage (2Corinthians 10:3-5). GOD’s Word is Truth and only Truth can set people free (John 8:31-32).

This is war. Endurance is necessary. The war lasts for a lifetime; every battle is a marathon (Luke 21:19; Romans 5:3-5; 2Corinthians 6:4-10; Hebrews 12)! Therefore, run in such a way as to not burn out so as to win the race (1Corinthians 9:24-27). We already know who wins the war in the end – it is written! But each battle has its number of casualties. Don’t be an unnecessary casualty. Many members of the Righteous League have died so that the torch would remain lit when passed on. You can possess the wisdom that many died to pass along. But you must do your due diligence (Matthew 7:7-8).

What does a broken peace treaty have to do with your salvation? Ponder on all the broken peace treaties throughout history. Why were they broken? Well, a peace treaty of perishable paper produced by conditional policy, protocol, or procedure possesses no real power for permanence.

An example would be the “30 years peace” treaty of ancient Greece signed in 445 BC and yet was broken in 431 BC because of the Peloponnesian War. Would you consider that a 50% success or 100% fail? If the ultimate goal was to achieve lasting peace (and it was), then it was a 100% fail. Why did it fail? The treaty was formed by finite and fallible people who established reason for peace on the foundation of conditional selfish terms. Peace could only exist so long as they got what they wanted. Seeking to satisfy the self will never sustain a healthy relationship with someone else. To have a relationship with someone else, love needs to be the bonding agent that holds the relationship together. And love is unconditional and seeks the best for the other. Love is the only bonding agent able to sustain peace because love is unconditional (1Corinthians 13:4-8).

Also, ponder on this: who acted as mediator in the broken peace treaties? Who should be the mediator? Well, GOD, of course! The Mediator is the Mentor, the Teacher, the One and only undefeated Champion, the sacrificial Savior – the Messiah (or Christ) Jesus! Only in abiding by the absolute moral standard will everyone be on the same page of the real peace treaty. The real peace treaty (the covenant) has already been written. It’s called the Bible. Peace doesn’t exist because people ignore what is written. We entered a covenant with GOD and we continue to break that covenant every day. Let’s examine the real peace treaty. It is written in Matthew 22:37-40: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.”

It is in the absolute moral standard that GOD commands us to love and it is in love that true peace will be found. Why? Because love is unconditional. While abiding by the absolute moral standard, it simply is not possible to cheat, steal, hate or murder. And a true leader who desires true peace will lead by example. Did Jesus lead by example? Absolutely! It is written in Romans 5:8: “God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

Can be peace be attained? Yes. All you need to do is let go and let GOD be GOD. Let Jesus lead the way. Take rest in Christ and peace shall rest within you: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
(Philippians 4:7)

We don’t have to wage war anymore. There’s no need for war – Christ already won the war for us! The war was never against humans. A fellow brother or sister of humanity is not the enemy. The enemy has been defeated. Death couldn’t hold Him down. In Jesus, love is all that is to be found (1John 4:8). And where there is love, there will be peace. If you don’t know Jesus as your personal Savior, I invite you right now to accept Christ in your heart. “Come to Me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
(Matthew 11:28) -HCSB

Let’s get back to the question at the beginning of this article: Was GOD in Greece? Yes. History tells us so. GOD is our intelligent Creator (argument one and two). Philip II and the rise of Macedon was the reason for the foundation of colonies such as Philippi.
Philip –> Philippi –> Philippians –> Jesus.

Philip was the father of Alexander the Great. Alexander the Great had Aristotle as a teacher. From Alexander the Great, Greek spread throughout their entire known world. In a single decade, Alexander the Great established a Greek foundation that would later be integrated into the Roman Empire and used by the first disciples of Jesus to advance the Kingdom of GOD to grow what is now known as Christianity. Alexander founded Alexandria in 332 BC and it was at Alexandria in Egypt that the Old Testament was translated into Greek (A.K.A. the Septuagint). The Jewish people of the 3rd century BC produced the Septuagint which was used for reading aloud in many synagogues of the Roman Empire in Greek-speaking cities, such as Corinth, Antioch or Rome. Was GOD making decisions for all the conquest and murders? No. But GOD is Sovereign and used everything that humans did to our eventual advantage when Jesus was born from the virgin Mary. Jesus’ arrival was perfect timing and in the perfect location. The Greek domination laid the foundation for the Roman Empire and it is in the Roman Empire that the entire New Testament blossomed.

Can GOD reign while the Romans rule? (article coming soon…)