Each Christian is engaged in constant warfare. He fights against sin, against false doctrine, against every device of Satan. He fights for truth, for righteousness, and for the kingdom of Christ. The Christian fights with words, with deeds, and with the whole armor of God (Eph. 6:14-17). And he fights voluntarily, willingly, even gladly. Indeed, the Christian fights constantly—he fought yesterday, he fights today, and he will fight tomorrow.
But the true Christian does not fight wildly. He measures his blows for effectiveness. He does not fight for personal victory nor for worldly applause. And the Christian must not fight for selfish satisfaction. What a pity that churches are torn and divided because some of God’s people demanded satisfaction of their own desires! Frequently congregations that were growing and that were abiding in the strict doctrine of Christ are distressed and/or destroyed by carnally-minded disciples who manifest unyielding attitudes and unbending selfishness.
But why should Christians fight each other? Why, especially should they do so when they stand for the same principles and engage in the same activities? What excuse can be given for war among the members when there could be peace? What alibi can we give for division when there could be unity?
There surely will be great reward for the soldier of Christ who has faithfully fought against Satan. Conversely, there will be certain shame and dismay—and punishment—for the Christian who has enrolled in Satan’s army and fights against his brother without a cause or in an unjust, undeserving, unscriptural cause.
Brethren, let there be peace among us! It is so necessary, and when we possess the mind of Christ it is so completely possible (Jn.17:21; 1 Cor. 1:10). Let each Christian gladly give up all self-will, and let each esteem his brother better than himself (Phil. 2:3). Our fidelity to Christ that causes us to fight must be coupled with fervent love for each other that will cause us to forgive our brother who has wronged us and will cause us to humbly seek his forgiveness when we have wronged him. “And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace to them that make peace” (Jas. 3:18). “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God” (Matt. 5:9).
This article first appeared in Think, Vol. 12, No. 5, September, 1970