The image of war is one that calls forth a response from the very depths of our souls. Those involved in a war personally are changed and profoundly affected by their experiences. The Bible contains many references to war. These references include both physical wars against men and spiritual wars fought within ourselves. There is a war being waged against Satan, and to the victor goes the souls of mankind. War is real. It is strategic, difficult, painful, and involves personal sacrifice. War is to be approached with seriousness, dedication, and loyalty. War is a helpful image when applied to the lives of Christians. There is such an incredible variety of influences in this world that are not satisfied until we have given our complete allegiance to them. We typically walk through the middle of the fields of war, never really choosing a side and never gaining victory.
I do not want to make light of the illustration of war. However, it seems that we often apply this as a two dimensional, black and white approach to life. We choose sides, labeling everything and everyone as either good or bad. This is a disservice we do to ourselves and to the world we live in. Matthew 5:13-16 reminds us that we are salt and light to this world. Salt doesn’t attack and destroy food, it flavors and preserves it. Light should not be hidden, but shared. We are more than conquerors. We are salt and light.
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