The Christian Metal group Whitecross was formed in 1985 in Waukegan, Ilinois. Whitecross won three Dove Awards as well as the Christian Metal Band of the year in the 1990’s. While I bought several Whitecross albums in college, In the Kingdom is by far my favorite. While I usually feature a worship song on Sunday’s, I made an exception today with Holy War.
And now, Lord, observe their threats and grant to Your bond servants [full freedom] to declare Your message fearlessly, Acts 4:29.
Holy War combines rap with metal to highlight the ongoing spiritual war that is taking place is another dimension. The rap portion of this song sounds like Rocky Balboa minus the south Philly accent. Meanwhile, the lyrics of the chorus calls Christians to become bold and passionate followers of Jesus. When you put everything together, Holy War remains an inspirational song to enjoy today.
In this age of Cancel Culture, anyone who does, posts or says the wrong thing is discarded like yesterday’s trash. Despite how successful someone may have been in the past, anyone who fails to adhere to the political and social norms will be banished, removed and shadow banned from social media outlets. The concept of forgiveness, grace and mercy have been omitted, forcing the unprofitable to try to tarry on in a modern land of misfits.
Once he was unprofitable to you, but now he is indeed profitable to you as well as to me, Philemon 1:11.
As a church planter throughout the first century, the apostle Paul occasionally reflected upon people who let him down. The unprofitable individual who Paul encountered in the passage above is Onesimus. Since Paul isn’t referring to his financial status, Onesimus was likely a byproduct of an immature faith. Instead of flourishing as a new Christian, Onesimus had one foot in his former life and the other struggling to grasp his new faith in Christ.
Obey your spiritual leaders and submit to them [continually recognizing their authority over you], for they are constantly keeping watch over your souls and guarding your spiritual welfare, as men who will have to render an account [of their trust]. [Do your part to] let them do this with gladness and not with sighing and groaning, for that would not be profitable to you [either], Hebrews 13:17.
The author of Hebrews provides advice for struggling and unprofitable Christians. The first piece starts with obeying the spiritual leaders put in place by the Lord. Second, find a spiritual mentor who will keep watch over your soul by preparing you for the ongoing spiritual war, Ephesians 6:12. Since transformation doesn’t occur overnight, you have to place your trust in the Lord day after day to turn an unprofitable soul into a profitable faith.
Most epistles of the apostle Paul end with salutations and thanking those individuals helping behind the scenes. Instead of devoting the final chapter of Ephesians to this practice, Paul provides a final word about the invisible war in the spiritual dimension. At the conclusion of this warning, Paul does squeeze in four verses to thank Tychicus for his faithful service. Yet, it is what comes before this which you should pay close attention to and grasp.
In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [be empowered through your union with Him]; draw your strength from Him [that strength which His boundless might provides]. 11 Put on God’s whole armor [the armor of a heavy-armed soldier which God supplies], that you may be able successfully to stand up against [all] the strategies and the deceits of the devil, Ephesians 6:10-11.
Perhaps Paul is referencing his confession in 2 Corinthians 12:7-12. When Paul says “be strong in the Lord,” this may be code for at your greatest moment of need or weakness, place your full confidence and trust in Jesus. Yet, there is more to know about the ongoing spiritual war. While imprisoned at the time Paul wrote Ephesians, Paul appears to have a vision, comparing the Roman soldier standing guard outside his door with necessary spiritual armor.
For we are not wrestling with flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the despotisms, against the powers, against [the master spirits who are] the world rulers of this present darkness, against the spirit forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) sphere. 13 Therefore put on God’s complete armor, that you may be able to resist and stand your ground on the evil day [of danger], and, having done all [the crisis demands], to stand [firmly in your place], Ephesians 6:12-13.
Since the reality of the passage above is overwhelming, Paul offers spiritual weapons that Christians can use before entering spiritual combat. This attire contains a belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, cleats to dig in, a shield of faith and helmet of salvation, Ephesians 6:14-17. These first five pieces of armor are defensive in nature. However, when believers take up the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God, you can begin to go on the offensive. While defense is important in the realm of sports, being proactive and going on the offensive is crucial to taking back lost ground.
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