In the Enemy's Camp

Verse of the Day: 1 Samuel 14:21, Moreover the Hebrews who were with the Philistines before that time, who went up with them into the camp from the surrounding country, they also joined the Israelites who were with Saul and Jonathan.

What we see here is exactly the thing that hinders Christianity today; and before we become critical of others doing what I am about to speak to you about today, we must admit that many of us have done it also. Many Israelites, in estimating that they were better off on the side that would profit them most, defected over to the side of the Philistines. Israel is facing their enemies and could use all the help they can get from their own people, but many of their own people are either hiding or cozying up to the enemy. It is not until they see that God is giving Israel the victory that they betray the enemy and come running back to their people Israel. How sad it is when we, or those we call brothers and sisters in Christ, defect to Satan’s side, after being delivered from his slavery. Many of us would probably protest and say, “I have never, and would never, side with the devils!” Really? Well, let me ask you this, “Have any of us, as Christians, ever been more of a friend to the world, than to Jesus?” “Have we ever been involved, or even been the instigator, of some conflict within the body?” “Have we ever strayed from Jesus because we were too busy chasing after the things of this world, whether it was material gain, greater status in society, at work, or even chose to trade Sunday morning fellowship and worship for our favorite hobby or sporting event?” I would like us to stop and consider the answers honestly. James 4:1-4 says, “Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. 4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” The fact of the matter is that God’s church lacks unity. We have allowed the body to be divided over silly and useless, arguments. We have allowed the world to lure us away with its empty promises, and have fallen for the lies that what the world has to offer will bring us “true” happiness. Far too many Christians have bailed out because things did not go the way they thought it would in giving their lives to the Lord. When things went bad, they ran to the world, until things went really bad in the world and they were re-enslaved to the very things Jesus freed them from. 1 Timothy 6:6-10 should serve as a warning for those who are thinking of jumping ship and defecting to the other side, “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” Romans 6:15-16 tell us, “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? God forbid! 16 Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?” The one thing we can be so thankful for is the fact that even if we have turned our backs on Jesus and gone back to the enemy’s camp, we have a Savior who promised never to forsake us. Like the prodigal and his father, our Savior welcomes us back with open arms (Luke 15:11-32). So, if today any of us are living like these Israelites, who turned their backs on their brothers and have made ourselves friends of the world and enemies of God, we can repent of it, confess it, and turn back to Jesus. If you are reading this, it is not too late. As long as we are living and breathing, God desires that we turn back to Him. Do not wait, for we are not guaranteed tomorrow, and in case you have not heard the news or read the end of the Book…we have the victory! Come back to the winning camp where the LORD has given us the victory in Jesus!

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His gift of salvation (Rom 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive Him and His gift of salvation today (Rom 10:13).