PsalmTree

Christ is Risen! 

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.” John 10:10

Christ, our Lord is risen! But, to what end? So we might build kingdoms here on earth?

When scholars try to sum up major religious‑motivated conflicts, typical figures include:

• The Crusades: roughly 1–3 million deaths total.
• The Thirty Years’ War (1618–1648): about 4–8 million deaths, including war, famine, and disease.
• French Wars of Religion and other 16th–17th‑century European wars: an additional 2–4 million deaths.

Aggregated lists that attempt a “total killed in the name of religion” float numbers in the tens of millions up to maybe around 50 million. Is this why Christ died and rose for us…so we could kill millions of potential followers?  Absolutely not! If we follow the world down that rabbit hole.::Satan wins. He is the destroyer. 

The phrase “Our citizenship is in heaven” comes from Philippians 3:20, where Paul writes that believers are not ultimately citizens of this world but of God’s eternal kingdom.  It means your deepest identity, loyalty, and hope belong to heaven, even while we live on earth.

That is why Christ is risen…

Don’t be beguiled by any claim of “Glory to God!” In connection with violence…for any reason. Don't misunderstand; I believe in Just War Theory. I also believe all conflicts result from failure to put Christ first. Steve Camp’s  “Run to the Battle” reveals the only battle we must engage…

Some people want to live 
Within the sound of chapel bells, 
But I want to run a mission 
A yard from the gate of hell. 
And with everyone you meet 
Take 'em the gospel and share it well, 
Look around you as you hesitate, 
Another soul just fell! 
Let's run to the battle! 

Do you have your armor on? 
We're in the middle of a raging war! 
We've been training for so long, 
But have we learned to use His sword? 
We may not be many, but we serve a mighty Lord, 
And He's made us more than conquerors, 
So what are you waiting for? Let's run to the battle! 
Run, run to the battle! 

He has trampled down the enemies, 
And has given us the victory! 
When we pray we learn to see: 
His armies are marching on their knees! 

There'll be times when we grow weak, 
Let's keep our faith alive! 
Let your faces shine with glory, 
For He's helped us to survive! 
And in that final hour, 
When you're ready to die, 
Will you hear that trumpet sound? 
Will you hear that warrior cry? 
Let's Run to the Battle! 

Live boldly out there today…