8 Lessons We Can Learn from the Church in China
8th Lesson: Spiritual Warfare
Tract by Asia Outreach
The Christians in China have a crystal-clear knowledge that they are engaged in a spiritual warfare. They know they are not fighting the government. Nor are they fighting a system, an ideology. They know they are wrestling “against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Eph. 6:12)
We also have this theology. And as far as I understand New Testament Christianity, every believer is a soldier of Jesus Christ. You are saved and you are drafted. There are no two ways about this. “Therefore endure hardship, as a soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that wars entangles himself with the affairs of this life.” (Il Tim. 2:3, 4) But how serious are we about this warfare?
To be very honest, I think too many of us are not even in the fight! We need get back into the battlefield and fight! Why are we not experiencing as many victories in our lives? Perhaps we are not even fighting the spiritual battle! How can you win the victories if you are not even involved in the war?
One time in Shanghai, we spoke with a godly woman whose family went through much suffering because they were Christians. After hearing of their tortures, we expressed sympathy and remarked, “How difficult it is to be a Christian in China!” But she turned around and softly told us not to feel sorry for them. “At least, we are constantly reminded that we are in a spiritual warfare. We know whom we are fighting for. We know who the enemy is. And we are fighting. Perhaps we should pray for you Christians outside China. In your leisure, in your affluence, in your freedom, sometimes you no longer realize that you are in a spiritual warfare.” How right she was!
It is time for us to engage ourselves in the good fight for our Lord Jesus Christ!
No, the Church in China is not perfect. In fact since the reinstatement of the official Three-Self Patriotic Movement, China’s church scene is becoming very political, very complicated, and in many ways, worldly. Nevertheless, we have been in contact with some of the finest Christians in that land. Some of them are elderly, some very young. They have their needs And we can meet their needs. We can do something for them. Yet I strongly feel that we Christians in the so-called Free World can learn something from them and gain much from their experiences. Let’s be willing to learn lessons— even lessons from the young, suffering Church in China
I notice you reference St. Paul. I would recommend you read Not Paul, but Jesus by Jeremy
Bentham or any of many more modern detailed accusations of this self described “apostle”
I agree that spiritual warfare is a thing. But Paul destroyed Jesus’ gospel, put the focus
on trappings rather than spirit, even while claiming incalculable personal heights and
depths of wisdom. He was boastful and he changed the law, something Jesus said
not to do. He called himself father to Timothy, something Jesus said not to do. He called
himself teacher and told people to teach his teachings. Jesus said call no man rabbi
(teacher) but the Messiah. Paul said Christ was “in him.” Jesus said I will be with you
always. Paul was a liar.
If you want to even try to war, you must be able to discern. Youn don’t seem able.