WE ARE AT WAR : PASTOR CHRIS AMOS
/WE ARE at WAR
By: Chris Amos
Ladies and gentlemen, we are at war. Let me say that again, “We are at war!” I am not talking about the kind of war presidents and Congress can courageously lead us into… from the rear. I’m not talking about the ongoing war on opioids. I’m not even talking about the war on cops that is, in large part the direct result of activist, soft-on-crime, get rid of bail politicians, district and commonwealth attorneys. I’m not saying the above “wars” are not happening; they are. In parts of the country, the battles are far more heated than in other parts. By way of encouragement, I travel the country occasionally, speaking at law enforcement conferences. Friends, let me remind you, there are significant portions of this country who love, support and defend the Thin Blue Line.
If not the wars mentioned above, then what war are you talking about, Amos? I’m glad you asked. The war of which I speak that every law enforcement officer in the country is engaged in, regardless of the level of support received on the home front, is the spiritual war for your very soul. The enemy in this war seeks to destroy you, your marriage, your family, your department, your city… well you get the idea. This war is the most insidious of any war you will ever face because the enemy is the most insidious of enemies. He can lie, deceive, cheat, steal, betray. Nothing, absolutely nothing is off the table when it comes to this foe. He is liberal, conservative, white, black, rich, poor, young, old…. He is Satan! You have many, many times come face to face with the men and women he so easily manipulates to do his bidding. In fact, many of his accomplices, knowingly or not, even wear a badge and a gun.
This enemy answers to no one… yet. Like the notorious Trojan horse of old, he seeks to gain entry into our lives and then attacks from within. He uses fear, rage, hatred, false assumptions and motives, lies and whatever else works to fan the flames, inciting a wildfire that decimates everything and everyone in its path. He gains entry through the eye gate, the ear gate and most effectively by means of the thousands of thoughts we entertain on any given day. He will not rest until he has seen us turn on one another, to include our very own family, both blood and blue. And even after watching with glee as another police officer is murdered or takes his own life, he craves even more. Like a shark sensing blood in the water, this enemy is never satisfied, nor can he be. Satan is involved in a spiritual war for your very soul, and this is a war that recognizes no treaties, truces or even gentlemen’s agreements. His greatest enemy is our greatest ally, Jesus Christ. And Jesus does not bargain with Satan and his minions. No, Jesus crushes the enemy, in fact immediately after that first sin committed by Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, thousands of years ago, God spoke of one who would crush the serpent Satan’s head under His foot [Genesis 3:15].
Friends, we are at war but we must understand, in Jesus Christ we have a Commander in Chief who will not disappoint, lie, betray, or perhaps most importantly, turn a blind eye during our greatest hour of need. It is important that we realize that the Jesus Christ, often portrayed as the meek, mild-mannered, compassionate shepherd cradling a baby lamb in His arms in children’s story books, no longer exists. He does not exist in the sense that Jesus, upon His resurrection from the dead and ascension into Heaven, reclaimed His throne and His role as the King of kings, Lord of lords, and dare I say Warrior of warriors. Do yourself a favor and read Revelation 19:11-16. This is the Warrior King to whom we will one day answer. The world does not realize this, for Satan has deceived the world, a critical part of the war he wages on you, me and everyone around us.
I am reminded of the song I learned as a kid in Vacation Bible School, “I may never march in the infantry, ride in the cavalry, shoot the artillery. I may never zoom over the enemy, but I’m in the Lord’s Army. Yes Sir!” Friends, the spiritual war is being waged for your soul, as well as the soul of America and the world is one we are all in. There are no exceptions. The sooner we believe that, the sooner we can better equip ourselves in, by, and through Jesus Christ to be “more than conquerors” [Romans 8:37] and “overcomers” [1 John 5:5]. While we watch the news and see the levels of corruption and hypocrisy ascending to heights unimaginable even a few short years ago, let me assure you, Jesus wins! Oh battles may and will be lost, but even those are all according to God’s divine chronological timeline.
In ’96 I was shot twice while attempting to make an arrest. I returned fire, killing my attacker. If nothing else during those eight seconds that would forever change my life, I learned God is in control and our enemy, Satan is on a leash… that God holds. The day will come, perhaps sooner than we think, when every believer in and follower of Jesus Christ will be raptured or called home to be with The Lord. God will let go of the leash and Satan, through the anti-Christ [2 Thessalonians 2:1-12], will have seven years to wreak havoc, with little to no resistance, upon this world before the King of kings, Lord of lords, and Warrior of warriors returns and this enemy of the world is crushed under Jesus’ foot.
Friends, the takeaway is twofold. First, we are at war spiritually whether we realize it or not. Secondly, if you haven’t joined The Lord’s Army, now is the time to do it. How? Read the Gospel of John to learn more about Jesus, the ultimate Commander in Chief. Read Ephesians 6 to see the weapons of the warfare supplied to us by God to be effectively used in this war with devastating consequences. Read Psalm 91 to see just how powerful, mighty, and in control God is even in, especially in, the midst of the war that is raging. I pray God will continue to protect, keep, bless and provide for you today, and in all the days to come.
Be safe.
Chris Amos is a retired officer and former spokesperson for the Norfolk Virginia Police Department. He is currently the pastor at Chr1st Fellowship Church in Norfolk. He is married for over 30 years and is the proud father of three children, two of whom are police officers. He serves as the volunteer Chaplain for Norfolk Police Dept. and Norfolk Sheriff’s Office.
