FEATURE ARTICLE

Rev. Dr. Adenike YesufuThursday, May 14, 2015
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GOD'S ADVOCATES VERSUS DEVIL'S ADVOCATES

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very Easter Season we are reminded of Jesus' victory on the Cross, over death, over Hades and over Satan. "The Strife is over, the Battle won", says the songwriter. In spite of this victory, the war continues to rage. I am not talking about "just wars", the pre-emptive strikes, the war against terrorists both home grown and out grown that President Obama defended in Copenhagen when he went to receive the Nobel Peace Prize. I am not talking about ISIS, the war in Syria, and Afghanistan. I am not even talking about the Boko Haram war against Christians and young girls in Nigeria. I am talking about the war that had been raging since the creation of the world when in Genesis 6: 11 we are told that the earth was filled with violence. I am talking about Satan's rebellion against God when he said in his heart "I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God���..I will be like the most High" (Isaiah 14:13). I am talking about the war in heaven when Arch Angel Michael fought the dragon, "and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him" (Revelation 12). When Satan lost his battle with God's angels, he began to direct his fury at the people of God on earth. At this point, I just want to add that there are people who deny the existence of Satan just as there are people who deny the existence of God.

Satan remains a powerful adversary. Satan has been and is still waging war, against Jesus, against the Church, the Body of Christ. This war is alive and well and growing more intense each day. Jesus did not underestimate His enemy. He referred to Satan as the "ruler of this world" (John 12:31). Paul called him the "god of this age" (2 Corinthians 4:4). John declared that the whole world is "under the control of the evil one" (1 John 5:19). Peter said that the devil prowls around looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). Satan's has continued its all out war against God's children. In our world today, this war started not only with the secularization process, but also the fascination with "atheism", which essentially is the denial of the existence of God. Psalms 14 and 53 tells us "The fool has said in his heart there is no God". However, as we all know, atheists are not ignoramuses, but very reflective people who from their perspectives are able to come to certain conclusions, about God and religion. They are always able to defend their positions vehemently. There is of course the perennial struggle between Science and Religion which has become an "either/or" position instead of complementary even as Albert Einstein says, "all religions, arts and sciences are branches of the same tree".

The latest of this war is "God bashing". Richard Hawkins the world's best known atheist in his bestselling book "The God Delusion", said, "The God of the Old Testament is arguably the most unpleasant character in all fiction: jealous and proud of it; a petty, unjust, unforgiving control-freak; a vindictive, bloodthirsty ethnic cleanser; a misogynistic, homophobic, racist, infanticidal, genocidal, filicidal, pestilential, megalomaniacal, sadomasochistic, capriciously malevolent bully." Christopher Hitchen's in his well-acclaimed book says, "God is not great". Ida White says, "Christianity exceeds all other faiths in its power to deform and finally invert the mental process". The war against Jesus is seen in the recreation of the person and nature of Jesus Christ. Movies like "The Last Temptation of Jesus", redefines and reconstructs the person and essence of Jesus. It is bad enough that the war against the Body of Christ is external, coming from outside. The more frightening thing is that the battle is also raging from within the Body, with those who deny the Virgin birth of Jesus, the Resurrection of Christ, the existence of the Holy Spirit, and so on, posing great challenges for the Body.

The war against the Body is also manifest in the emergence of the "New Spirituality Movement", which rejects what it calls the "Old Christian Religion". It claims the religion is bound by rituals, rules and creeds, but which by definitions are necessary components of all religions. The new Spirituality Movement rejects the term "religion" and demands a "relationship". They seem to forget that Christ's entire ministry was relational. The Christian Religion has always been and still is God centered and relational. Jesus says when you pray, go into your room and when you have shut your door pray to your Father who is in the secret place (Mathew 6:6). The Christian religion emphasizes a deep engagement with God which David calls "deep calling unto deep" (Psalm 42:7). The new Spirituality Movement has a focus on the self. It talks of individual needs not being met by the "old" Christian Religion that actually says that growth in Christ, is communal, based on interdependence. Jesus picked a group of friends who hung out with Him, prayed with Him, learnt from Him and grew up in communion with Him. This provides the model for growth in Christ who also tells us to love our neighbor as ourselves. Thus, Christian Religion teaches us to be compassionate, reaching out to the poor, the hungry and the sick. The Christian Religion is Triune centered of which the Holy Spirit is a key component. Jesus' life, starting from His conception to His death and resurrection was the work of the Holy Spirit. The Christian Religion teaches that purity and holiness originate from the "Holy Spirit of God". The Spirituality Movement makes immense references to "spirit", which of course is of unknown origin. The old Christian Religion teaches us that we are born of the Spirit of God and so God lives in us. Hence the work of the Holy Spirit in our individual and collective lives is personal as He teaches, convicts, guides and reveals to us the truth (John 14:26).

The new Spirituality Movement talks about searching for "new" meanings, "new" interpretations and "new" labels to describe people's spiritual experiences. The "old" Christian Religion teaches that religious experiences do not exist in a vacuum nor can it be fashioned after our own devices. It is not laissez faire. It is not based on emotionalism but on divine revelation. It is not driven by intellectualism and reframing but by the guidance and inspiration of the Spirit of God. It is a gift. The God of the "old" Christian Religion says, "I change not". He is the same yesterday, today and for all eternity. His word and promises remain the same. Philippians 2: 12 ask us each to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. This means that as individuals we all have the responsibility to take our religious journey and religious experiences seriously. We need to be rooted and grounded in the truth as revealed. We do not want to be tossed about like a reed. Technically "religion" and "spirituality" are interrelated. However, the Spirituality Movement has constructed "spirituality" to have an eclectic use and application, so much so that is applied to anything and everything. Among the New Age Religions, Christ has been taken out of the equation. The Bible tells us that the time will come when people will not endure sound doctrines; but because they have itchy ears; they will heap to themselves teachers who will turn their ears away from the truth. Paul in 2 Timothy 4: 3 tells us to be watchful and be vigilant in all things.

Like in the words of one of the Old Spirituals "Give me that Old Time Religion", millions of Christians are comfortable with their religion, and are NOT ashamed to profess it. However, in my reflection on this ongoing war, I thought that I do not often hear "loud and clear", the clarion calls to battle by Christians. Are we not supposed to be militants for Christ? Ephesians 6 reminds us that there is an ongoing war and that we are not at war against flesh and blood but against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against principalities and power and against spiritual wickedness in high places. The Early Christians were aware of this continuous war and so they penned songs like, "Sound the Battle Cry", "Stand up Stand up for Jesus", "Hold the Fort", "Fight the Good fight with all your Might". My favorite is "Onward Christian Soldiers marching as to War". So what are we Christians of today required to do? What is our role in this war?

In The Devil's Advocate, one of my favorite movies, ably performed by Al Pacino and Keanu Reeves, Kevin Lomax lured by the seductiveness of the devil confirms, "Evil surely has its winning ways". This movie takes my thoughts to the emergence of the modern day band of the "Devil's Advocates" out there. Starting with the power of the pen, Devil's Advocates fight with numerous anti god writings and literature. The anti god books are quite popular; as soon as they are released they instantly climb to the "best sellers" list. Subtle or overt, Devil's Advocates are relentless. They are vehement. They fight with all the weapons that they possess. Devil's Advocates are smart, hence they are prolific. Devil's Advocates are loudest, like empty vessels, they make the most noise. Devil's Advocates have an appealing fluency for the itchy ears that listen to them. Devil's Advocates never miss any opportunity to promote their master. What motives drive the Devil's Advocates? In this the Devil's Advocates are tops. It is not about them, it is about their father, the devil. Devil's Advocates never miss any opportunity to promote their master. Each day presents with many opportunities. Every medium and every chance is seized. No wonder the Devil's Advocates always seem to have an upper hand.

Then I wonder: Who is on the Lord's side? Where are God's Advocates? Does God need advocates? Some may ask. He is God. He can speak for Himself. In fact, God speaks in nature, in His word and in the works of His hand. The Bible contains many Advocates for God, Abraham, Moses, David, and all those prophets of old. Jesus had His Advocates in Paul, Peter, John, James and others. Jesus is the Advocate for those of us whose names are written on the palms of His hand. In return, He wants us to be His Advocates. He wants us to continue to fight the good fight with all our might. He wants us on the highways and the byways. God's Advocates do not necessarily have to come from the pulpit, neither do they have to be to be certified. Thankfully, there are millions of genuine and sincere God's Advocates out there. However, the harvest is ripe and the laborers are still few.

Are you God's Advocate? The choice is an imperative option. The benefits are immense. How often do God's Advocates aim to correct misconceptions about God, about Jesus, about the Bible, and about the Body of Christ? Makers of the movie "God is not Dead" did just that, where a Christian freshman at a college had to defend his faith when challenged by his atheist professor. The movie is well located because the academia in the spirit of academic freedom is a fertile ground for analyzing, rationalizing, dissecting and rejecting God. Do God's Advocates take advantage of the many formal and informal situations that present, on the road, in the homes, at work, at play, anywhere and everywhere to advocate for God? How often do God's Advocates attempt to convey God's essence to humanity? Alternatively, it is always more about the promotion of "self". Politicians use God to sell politics. They say things like "If you are on our side then you are on the side of God". God is not a product to be packaged and sold by specialists.

So what is required of God's Advocates? To start with, we have the assurance that hell cannot prevail against us. Does this mean complacence? Jesus our Commander expects us to continue the fight, to march on as to war until He comes back to subdue the enemy again. The war is proving very difficult in the face of mounting opposition from the Devil's Advocates. God's Advocates, need to fight back in this ongoing war. We need to drown the cacophony of the Devil's Advocates. God's Advocate, need to demonstrate a deeper intense knowledge of God that comes from personal experience. One cannot be a good advocate with scanty or incoherent information. Lawyers spend lots of time with their clients to know them enough to put up stoic defense for them. God's Advocates need the tongue of the ready writer (Psalm45:1). We need to have a language that is inspired, authentic, genuine, relevant, meaningful and real; not some dull, insipid, language that are at times relayed. Jesus was a Master communicator. The Bible says when He spoke, the people marvel at His words. God's Advocates need to speak of God's goodness, God's faithfulness and God's loving kindness at all times. God's Advocates need to be more aggressive and vehement in talking about God's kingdom on earth.

In this ongoing war, renewed zealousness is needed for our Master, Jesus, in a world that is reeling with the adulation of the enemy. While God's Advocates are required to sharpen their weapons, our primary weapon of warfare is Jesus, the Man of War Himself. Every battle belongs to the Lord. Unfortunately at times plagued by political correctness and fear, God's Advocates become "dumb" and sit it out. The Bible calls dumbness an affliction (Mark 9:17). Spiritual discernment is needed among those engaged in conducting the enterprises of Christ. Unity is also needed; a house divided against itself cannot stand. This warfare is a conflict between right and wrong, between the Gospel of Christ and false doctrines. All the talents and gifts that have been received must be stirred up and brought into action. Every ability, each opportunity must be used, for the foes are many. As Soldiers of the Cross, God's Advocates must put on the whole armor of God that they may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:11). The nature of the war is such that God's Advocates cannot be neutrals, or indifferent. In and out of season, like the reserved, God's Advocates must always be ready for battle (2Timothy 4:2). Finally, for empowerment, because the battle is on, like David in Psalm 144, God's Advocates must always ask the Lord to "train our hands for war and our fingers for battle". Amen.

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