Cancer & Chemo
Today I am writing from a Cancer Center. My mother is going through her first round of chemotherapy. One week ago today she was told she has stage four cancer. The doctors told her she had two options, chemo or hospice. Although she immediately chose chemo, until today it has felt like we were exercising a third option; kicking the can down the road. Scan this. Biopsy that. Test this. Retest that. Hurry up and wait for the results. Are we on the front line or the sideline?
I realize in any battle it is important to properly identify the enemy and lay out a strategy. I am not trying to minimize these things. It’s just so hard to be patient when the enemy is active. We have heard the cancer roar. We know where he is located. Today we are finally going on the offensive. No more kicking the can down the road, it’s time to fight the enemy before us. Or in this case the enemy within.
Christian Warfare
My mother’s battle is a good illustration of Christian warfare. We too have an aggressive enemy. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us, “Be sober minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” Too often, to our shame, when Satan roars we cower. But why?
Satan’s great weapon is deceit. God equips us with Truth. Satan disables us with fear. God enables us with Love. Satan tells us we cannot win. Calvary tells us we already have. Satan wants us on the sidelines. God has placed us on the front line.
“On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” – Matthew 16:18b
Charge!
If the gates of hell shall not prevail, the Church is attacking!! Hospice and procrastination are not options for the Christian. We were saved for action.
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 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. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” – Ephesians 6:10-13
“And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold I am with you always, to the end of the age.'” – Matthew 28:18-20
The enemy has been identified. The command has been given. What are we waiting for? The consequences of inactivity are too great. It’s time to storm the gates of Hell.