Op-ed by David Crum | Photo: Adobe Stock
My pastor, who has an intense love for Christianity, film, and history, consistently highlights the fact that Christians are actively participating in a cosmic war. If you’re unfamiliar with this term, it implies that we are all warriors in the eternal struggle of good versus evil, the ultimate battle between God and Satan.
Martin Luther maintained his conviction that he was under constant attack by dark forces as he pursued Christian reform. Christians, to this day, find themselves as victims of political and religious persecution, supporting the argument that a great spiritual battle is underway.
While Christians are told to be very careful when entering studies centered on Demonology or Satanology, the reality is that the Scriptures affirm that darkness is present throughout the world. Every day, Christians face a supernatural battle.
There is a reason Christians are called to put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-11). Paul taught this is both an individual spiritual clash (Galatians 5:17) and one that also affects all of humanity:
“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12”
People have long understood that spiritual darkness can plague a nation more than any other threat facing humanity. A country that openly embraces lawlessness and refuses to acknowledge Jesus’ titles as Lord and Savior is no friend to Christianity. While God is with individual people and not entire countries, it doesn’t mean He doesn’t use governments, including political and military leaders, for His glory.
The idea of a cosmic war facing America is nothing new. Christianity has a profound connection to the United States, from the arrival of the Pilgrims and Puritans to the Great Awakening. Biblical Christianity and a firm reliance on the standards found in the Word of God are the only principles that can give a nation and people hope and direction.
Biblical Christianity embraces human freedom, the value of life, and the love of God and your neighbor. It underlines the principle of Christ or chaos.
Those familiar with the Bible know that Jesus Christ will return, and the cosmic war will end upon His arrival. In the meantime, Christians can find comfort and solitude in fighting darkness in the name of Christ. From embracing and defending the Scriptures to living in prayer and sharing the light and salt of Christ with creation, the most formidable opponent to darkness is a united body of Christ.
Although no human is flawless or free from sin, the Spirit (God) has the power to overcome sin. Jesus’ death on the cross and resurrection prove as much. Christians who take the cosmic war more seriously might have a stronger drive to win the battle. Joshua serves as an example of a man of God, who when faced with the decision to follow false gods or the Lord Himself, declared, “And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15”
If you desire a return to “old America” and seek a shift in morals and principles, it’s important to understand that the church is the sole hope for restoring righteousness and biblical honor.
