Together We Stand
I like playing this strategy game called “Battle for Middle Earth”. Its based on JRR Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. “Battle for Middle Earth 2” has been out quite some time ago so the one I am playing would seem to some kind of old but its still fun to play.
This is not a game post. So, if you are reading this second paragraph, thank you! Lolz. Bear with me a bit. Below is a picture of a unit in the game from the Gondor faction called Tower Guards. These are the elite infantry of Gondor. (Note: This unit appears in the actual movies though you have to look carefully to spot them. Can’t miss those winged helmets. :P)
The second picture below depicts them in a defensive formation. This formation adds their defense considerably ( 80%..for those who want to know) but greatly reduces their movement speed (70%..again for those who want to know). In this formation, they are considerably difficult to take down. I usually use these guys to hold ground I have taken from the opponent (coupled with other buffs, these guys are near invincible).
So, after all that, what am I driving at? As I was thinking, I realize that our Christian life is something like those Tower Guards. We need to support one another in each other’s walk with God. Isn’t that what the Christian family is all about? If we walk alone, we will be an easier target for temptations which lead to sin. If we pray for one another, helping each other in times of need or just being there, wouldn’t we be stronger in times of trial? Together, with God, we can stand strong against the evil one and our sinful desires. The Teacher in Ecclesiastes 4:12 wrote, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
The apostle Paul wrote, “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel” (Phillipians 1:27). The word “contend” sounds like a fighting term. We are to fight for the sake of the Gospel, that is, to spread it far and wide and to defend it. He even wrote to the church in Ephesus to pray for him; “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” (Ephesians 6:19-20).
Often than not, we hear about advancing God’s kingdom here on earth, thinking it is God’s will for us. But hasn’t anyone considered that perhaps our job is just to stand and defend turf that is already taken? True, everyone has a purpose. Like in the game, some units are good if used on the offense and some are good on defense. The Tower Guards can be used as both but I usually use it for defensive purposes. Some are called to go into new areas to preach the Gospel. When an area accepts the Gospel, some are called to that area to teach the people. The missionary can then move on to other territories. The Bible also says, “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Ephesians 4:11-12). If there is no solid teaching in the Word of God, the people in that area can easily fall away and can’t grow in spiritual maturity. The turf is slowly being retaken by the enemy because of lack of defenders.
Something that is more of the real world but same concept as the Tower Guards is the Roman Legions of ancient Rome. They have this unique formation called the ‘Tortoise’ or “Box Formation”. It looks something like the picture below.
This formation makes the Roman Legions much more resilient to arrows from the enemy. As you can see, they protect each other with their shields. The only way for an enemy archer to take them down is to shoot through those tiny holes which would be near impossible at long distance. Using this method, they can advance nearly unscathed to an enemy wall and scale it even though arrows are falling like rain on them. This formation won’t work if the soldiers don’t coordinate and work together. Interestingly, Paul writes in Ephesians 6:16, “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Maybe he had this in mind because those arrows are not going to burn on iron shields.
So, we who call ourselves brothers and sisters in Christ have to uphold and help one another. We are called to fight together for the Gospel. As the Tower Guards say, “We guard the White Tower”.
This is not a game post. So, if you are reading this second paragraph, thank you! Lolz. Bear with me a bit. Below is a picture of a unit in the game from the Gondor faction called Tower Guards. These are the elite infantry of Gondor. (Note: This unit appears in the actual movies though you have to look carefully to spot them. Can’t miss those winged helmets. :P)
The second picture below depicts them in a defensive formation. This formation adds their defense considerably ( 80%..for those who want to know) but greatly reduces their movement speed (70%..again for those who want to know). In this formation, they are considerably difficult to take down. I usually use these guys to hold ground I have taken from the opponent (coupled with other buffs, these guys are near invincible).
So, after all that, what am I driving at? As I was thinking, I realize that our Christian life is something like those Tower Guards. We need to support one another in each other’s walk with God. Isn’t that what the Christian family is all about? If we walk alone, we will be an easier target for temptations which lead to sin. If we pray for one another, helping each other in times of need or just being there, wouldn’t we be stronger in times of trial? Together, with God, we can stand strong against the evil one and our sinful desires. The Teacher in Ecclesiastes 4:12 wrote, “Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
The apostle Paul wrote, “Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel” (Phillipians 1:27). The word “contend” sounds like a fighting term. We are to fight for the sake of the Gospel, that is, to spread it far and wide and to defend it. He even wrote to the church in Ephesus to pray for him; “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.” (Ephesians 6:19-20).
Often than not, we hear about advancing God’s kingdom here on earth, thinking it is God’s will for us. But hasn’t anyone considered that perhaps our job is just to stand and defend turf that is already taken? True, everyone has a purpose. Like in the game, some units are good if used on the offense and some are good on defense. The Tower Guards can be used as both but I usually use it for defensive purposes. Some are called to go into new areas to preach the Gospel. When an area accepts the Gospel, some are called to that area to teach the people. The missionary can then move on to other territories. The Bible also says, “It was he who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up” (Ephesians 4:11-12). If there is no solid teaching in the Word of God, the people in that area can easily fall away and can’t grow in spiritual maturity. The turf is slowly being retaken by the enemy because of lack of defenders.
Something that is more of the real world but same concept as the Tower Guards is the Roman Legions of ancient Rome. They have this unique formation called the ‘Tortoise’ or “Box Formation”. It looks something like the picture below.
This formation makes the Roman Legions much more resilient to arrows from the enemy. As you can see, they protect each other with their shields. The only way for an enemy archer to take them down is to shoot through those tiny holes which would be near impossible at long distance. Using this method, they can advance nearly unscathed to an enemy wall and scale it even though arrows are falling like rain on them. This formation won’t work if the soldiers don’t coordinate and work together. Interestingly, Paul writes in Ephesians 6:16, “In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.” Maybe he had this in mind because those arrows are not going to burn on iron shields.
So, we who call ourselves brothers and sisters in Christ have to uphold and help one another. We are called to fight together for the Gospel. As the Tower Guards say, “We guard the White Tower”.
posted by child_of_God at 10:27 PM
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