The Greatest War of All

Whether you are pro-war, anti-war, liberal, conservative, etc., there is always one war that will be going on. It will go on in your personally, through you corporately, and will always be the ultimate World War.

What is it? This war is the war between the City of God and the City of Man. Every single person is a member of either of the two cities. If we were to divide every single person in the world into one of two groups, it would be those of the City of God and those of the City of Man.

What are the differences? We should not believe that the difference between the two cities is that the City of God is of good people and that the City of Man has bad people. The difference is that the people of the City of God understand that they are sinners, and seek the forgiveness of God. Those in the City of Man look to the mind of man to free them of any problems in the world, but would never blame it on the sin of man - or at least not their own.

What are the effects? The effects of this war affect you personally and corporately; spritual, emotionally, mentally, and even physically; it affects you in almost every way. We should not believe that if you are a member of the City of God then you will never think like a member of the City of Man. But in the end, all of God's people will call upon His name. Consider the following personal and worldly aspects of this war (can especially be very personal):

Lust vs. Love
Popular before man vs. Humble before God
Individualistic Inward piety vs. Corporate worship
Theft and Murder vs. A respect for the property of others
Natural Selection vs. Natural rights, and, above all,
The love of money vs. The Love of God.

What is best for man in the long run? Lust does not forgive the imperfections of that being lusted after. Love, true, love, would forgive imperfections. Popularity comes with many prices and can easily be lost. God accepts us for walking humbly (Man's fluctuating acceptance compared to God's eternal acceptance). Individualism (some forms of it) often will not forgive one's mistakes, and is apart from the forgiveness and love God shows through others. Corporate worship strengthens even the worst of sinners, and through it God can enable us true acceptance even among men. Theft and Murder against someone can result in someone else robbing or murdering you. Natural selection accepts and deny's people by standards one can not help. Natural rights affirms everyone certain God-given and unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The love of money is never satisfied, and always wants more money. The Love of God enables us to rest in confidence for the greatest treasure of all.

But even yet, the glories of the City of Man seem so great at first. Money, popularity, and the like seem so attractive. But how many people in Hollywood, with so much money, so much fame, and seemingly perfect bodies really seem happy in the end? Not many.

Ultimately, money, acceptance among men, and happiness, will come by faith in God, and participation in the City of God. Matt. 7:13 says, "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it."

And in the end, it will be the City of God who wins. We are told that the gates of Hell can not even prevail against the Rock on which God builds His Church. Matt. 16:18 says, "...on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it." Hells gates, the guard of the City of Man, will not be able to offend the City of God, nor be able to defend against the offense of the City of God. Ultimately, it's a blow-out. Hell has no chance, and the winner of the war is predestined.

So as a New Year's Resolution, I encourage you to examine your life, and see how you are living. Are you living as someone who understands that you are a sinner, and one who seeks the forgiveness of God? Or, are you living as someone who does not care about the way you live your life, or the only care you do have is popularity, fortune, fornication, and many other things or sins that seem to have so much glory, but who's path only leads to destruction? Do you even realize that there is this war, that affects you personally, corporately, and in every way of your life? Or do you ignore this war? If you do understand this war, if you do seek the forgiveness of God and seek to live better, then you can rest assure that the City of God will win, the City of Man only leads to destruction, and you will be apart of eternal glory.

God bless His Church

For all the Saints

God bless you

Lift High the cross

Janurary 2, 2008

Ryan Hampton