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Introduction

Without a doubt, the people of God are called to war and work. I don’t have to give you Scriptures—you know they are there. We are called to “endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Tim. 2:3);

we are called to “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Tim. 6:12); we are called to “the work of faith with power” (2 Thes. 1:11). The RSV reads: “…may fulfill every good resolve and work of faith by His power.”

Where in the entire Bible do we find that we are to entertain or be entertained? Yet this is exactly what has replaced war and work in today’s church (there are exceptions, thank God!).

Work and War: The Ground of Christian Service

To be honest, I think work and war form the ground of a Christian’s service—done by and through faith/grace “that,” as verse 12 states, “the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

The combination of work and war reverberates throughout the New Testament. Even in war and work, we must be led by the Spirit, or they become carnal. Today’s Church may, at times, exhibit war and work, but unless a man or woman is wholly consecrated unto our Lord, we labor in vain.

Clear Implication

The Bible presents a clear implication that we are to “walk in the Spirit” so as not to “fulfill the lust of the flesh” (Gal. 5:16). Did you know that even war/work can become a lust—a lust to be seen and heard by men? We usually think that Galatians’ conflict between “Spirit” and “flesh” involves only ugly, satanic things.

However, ministry itself can become idolatry, emulation, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, and even murder (killing your brother or sister in order to appear more “spiritual”).

The modern Church is full of such “works of the flesh.”

Key Words: Go, Teach, Preach, Witness

The Bible commands (as in Matt. 28:19-20) are translated into “work-a-day,” “war-a-day” actions. We don’t wait for “revival time”; every day is the day to serve our Lord.

Jesus Did it All?

This is exactly what many believe and teach today—in order to avoid Jesus’ command: “Go ye therefore…” The world is anywhere souls need saving, and the saved need teaching. I don’t recall the command to “build churches” or “become a church-planter.” No! We don’t build churches, we build up the body of Christ.

In John 17:18, Christ declared to His Father (in the hearing of His disciples), “As thou hast sent Me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.” The “world” was Palestine, but His command/commission for us, after His death, resurrection, and glorification, is still the world.

Jesus’ command to His disciples (which includes us) was: “As My Father hath sent Me, even so send I you” (John 20:21). With these words, Jesus projected His ministry into and through the work of His disciples.

No Boundaries: The World is Our Battlefield

Jesus was not limited to merely preaching and teaching—He performed miracles and cast out demons. We find His command in Mark 16:15-16, followed by, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils…speak in new tongues…take up serpents (demon warfare)…lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”

Why are most believers sitting in church buildings today? Jesus took to the streets, countrysides, and worked in local synagogues as well as the great Temple itself. His message was repentance; His war and work involved signs, wonders, and miracles.

Don't try this “Jesus did it all” on me! He merely demonstrated to His followers what He could do, making it possible for those who believe to do even greater works. These greater works would be universal, accomplished through His disciples after His death and resurrection. You see, Jesus was limited to Palestine, but we have NO boundaries—the world is our battlefield and work-station.

Forsake Those Whorehouses!

Today's churches are no better than whorehouses—ruled by pulpit pimps. Their congregations are no better than religious prostitutes working for their pimps (there are exceptions). While lost souls literally perish in plain sight, churchgoers play church.You know this is true.

Consider the Lost

I want to encourage each one of you to consider the lost. I once was lost, but God sent a messenger to tell me personally about Jesus and what He had already done for me. The gift of eternal salvation awaits all who will repent of their sins and ask for forgiveness. Salvation is only a prayer away. Jesus died for us; will we live for Him?

The Bible says, “whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21). It also declares, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38).

At salvation, we are baptized into the body of Christ. After salvation, we need to be baptized in water as a sign of dedication to our faith, a sign of our profession of faith.

If you have never repented of your sins, do so NOW! If you have never witnessed to anyone about Christ, do so NOW! We need to tell the world of Jesus’ love for us. He gave His earthly life as a ransom—by His death on the Cross, He opened up eternal salvation for the condemned: “…he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18).