Friday, September 12, 2008

Living in Enemy Territory

I saw a movie once called "The Matrix". The plot is kind of complicated, so I won't try to explain it all in detail here. Suffice it to say that in the movie the human race is enslaved and each person is kept in a comatose state in a kind of 'cocoon'. But even though their body is in a vegetative state their minds are alive and well. The trick is that each person thinks they are living a normal life. In their minds they get up and go to work, they eat, they sleep, they play with their kids, etc.. But it's all just an illusion in their minds. There is no real job, no real family, no real food. They have no idea that they are enslaved.

However, there are a few people that have broken free and live in the real world. But the real world is enemy territory. Civilization has been destroyed - there are no jobs, the food is terrible, danger around every corner - a pretty miserable existence and as far from a normal life as you can get. But at least their eyes are open to reality and they are free. To me the allegory regarding this world is obvious. We get up and go to work, make and spend money, love and are loved. We think that we are alive and free. But it's all just an illusion. The Bible says those without Christ in this world are dead and in bondage.

As a Christian, I have been set free. I was blind but now I can see. However, I now realize that I'm living in enemy occupied territory. The longer I'm here and I see the results of the enemy's tactics the more I just want God to put an end to it. Like all of us, I frequently wonder when is God going to invade? But just like you, I have friends and relatives who haven't come over to this side yet. So I feel this pull within me; one side of me looking for His coming, the other hoping He will delay for awhile longer.

C.S. Lewis said it best in his book Mere Christianity.

"God will invade. But I wonder whether people who ask God to invade openly and directly in our world quite realize what it will be like when He does. When that happens, it is the end of the world. When the author walks on the stage the play is over. God is going to invade, all right; but what is the good of saying you are on His side then, when you see the whole natural universe melting away like a dream and something else - something it never entered your head to conceive - comes crashing in; something so beautiful to some of us and so terrible to others that none of us will have any choice left? For this time it will be God without disguise; something so overwhelming that it will strike either irresistable love or irrestistable horror into every creature. It will be too late then to choose your side. There is no use saying you choose to lie down when it has become impossible to stand up. That will not be the time for choosing: it will be the time when we discover which side we really have chosen, whether we realized it before or not. Now, today, this moment, is our chance to choose the right side. God is holding back to give us that chance. It will not last forever. We must take it or leave it."

2Peter 3:8-12 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.

1 comment:

  1. I really appreciated this post. My family is feeling the effects of living in the reality of Gods light. It is as if he is turning a dimmer switch ever brighter and we all are realizing just how much life cleaning is needed. This post is a confirmation that others are going through the same and the encouragement to continue.
    Thanks

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