The Battle for Souls & Eternity

Today we find ourselves in a war. It is a war that encompasses all the Earth and reaches into Heaven above and Hell below. It is a war that you won't see on TV. You won't read about it in Time, USA Today, U.S. News and World Report, or any other newspaper or magazine. You won't hear about it on the radio talk shows of the day. This war is the longest war in human history, but you won't find it in any history book. This war is not even talked about much in our churches. But it is out there.
The moment you were born you were drafted. Today you are a soldier whether you know it or not. There are only two sides in this war. As people we have chosen which side we are on. As soldiers we fight for its cause.
Every day we see the toll it has taken on the Earth. We see it in our world through the eyes of dying children of the Sudan. We see it in the human abuses in China and Cuba. We see it in the murders in the streets of Mexico. We see it in the sex slave trade of woman, girls, and boys in India and the Orient. We see it in the deserts of the Middle East. And we see it here in the United States of America. Or do we?
We see it, but I'm not sure we recognize it. Instead we like to call it the "culture war". We wring our hands and shake our heads when confronted with the possibility of "Under God" taken out of the pledge, or the 10 Commandments taken out of public buildings. We murmur and wonder in disbelief about gay marriage and gay pastors. We stand in lines to protest and shout at others about the abortion debate. We wonder if our children are being educated or brainwashed. We look in disgust at drug addicts and prostitutes. We cry for revenge and justice for a serial killer. Yes my friends we are in a war.
This is a spiritual war. In Ephesians 6:12 the Apostle Paul wrote, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." This war is over the souls of moms and dads, sisters and brothers, and other members of our families. This war is over the souls of the people we work with and play with. And this war is over the souls will go for eternity.

Obeying Jesus Out of Love

For many people the idea of becoming a Christian means that they would have to obey a lot of rules designed to put the brakes on all the fun life can dish out. In fact, when one truly understands who Jesus is and what He has done for us it is hard to understand sometimes why we continue to do the sinful things we do.
The greatest motivating factor in wanting to do the right thing, living a life that is known for good behavior if you will, is because of a loving, intimate relationship with someone. It's not because behavior associated with drunkenness, rebellion, drug addiction, pornography, etc. is illegal, immoral, or even the negative consequences of such behavior bring on. Instead it's because we don't want to disappoint someone, we don't want to break the heart of someone who genuinely loves us.
I would not have an affair because I would break my wife's heart. She loves me with all she has, with all her life. Why would I want to betray that?
But let us say that my wife, parents, teachers, coaches, pastors, or people I refer to as friends don't really love me? Where does that leave me? If no one cares for me and loves me than why should I care about any consequences of my negative behavior?
Because God cares and loves me no matter what I do (of course God accepts you for who you are, but loves you too much to let you stay that way). For those who know Him, know the lengths of which He has taken to show how deep His love for me is, why would I ever want to disappoint Him and break His heart? Jesus said, "If you love me, obey what I have taught you." In the light of Easter that doesn't sound like too much to ask for.