I once had an uncle whom I in many ways admired because of his contagious charisma and enthusiasm.  He was a riveting speaker, and I  wished I were like him!  However, sin crept into his life, and so he was no more a power for God, but he was still fascinating to talk to.

He once said to me, "The important thing for you, Jørn, is to be in the heavenlies and then march on!"  I asked him, "What about yourself, uncle?" - He replied, "I´m too heavy!"  This was the equivalent of saying, "I´m not right with God myself!"

I feel so sad when I think of that talk in his sitting room many, many years ago in Copenhagen.  He was so right and "biblical" with that challenge, and yet his life ended up so sad and made me shudder.  And it still does.

But through Deborah, "a mother in Israel" (Judg. 5:7), I again hear the challenge, "March on, my soul!"  This is a lonely march.  You don´t  swim with the tide then to do what others may do.  I once read a tract with the heading (if I remember right) "Others may, you can´t".  Its point was that Christian friends may condone many things which you can´t accept.

However, it´s still our calling to march on with Christ against the tide.  The scenario will be different to Deborah´s.  And yet we, too, are in a spiritual warfare described in Ephesians chapter 6.   What is the warfare about?  What is at stake?  The apostle makes it very clear - the gospel!  In Paul´s case the scenario was a jail with chains, i.e. deadlocked circumstances.

But his language is free and "heavenly" with a down-to-earth passion for the gospel as Christ´s ambassador.  "... that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel..." (6:19)
 
O, "march on, my soul", -  "Pres on!"  (Phil. 3:14) in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ - despite the immediate circumstances!

 
May 23, 2019 - jn