In response to the news of Bible references being inscribed on pieces of military weaponry, a minister at my church penned the following (in part) in our weekly bulletin:
The message is so wrong on so many levels. When will we learn that this sort of misguided tokenism only increases our fascination with the notion that God is somehow on our side. And this is wrong. It is never a matter of whose side God is on; what a bizarre thought if we really stop and think about it. Oh that we would remember that God is sovereign over the whole earth and that he is working out his plans and purposes. The real question for us is whose side are we on; God’s or our own?...
Because Jesus came to turn our world upside down and inside out; he knew that what is displayed on the outside of our lives has its genesis in what is going on inside. Is Jesus glorified by what is etched on a gun or by a changed life? Think on these verses:
Our thoughts. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Phil 4:8
Our attitudes. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Phil 2:5-8
Our lives: A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:34-35
Our speech: et no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear… but sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence; Eph 4:29, 1 Petr 3:15.
The external will always reflect what is going on inside. If our thoughts and attitudes are not being shaped by God then why would we ever think that our lives and speech will be? There is an order here. Let’s not be fascinated with guns and etched verses—the real question is how is God shaping our thoughts and attitudes so that we love one another and are always ready to tell others of the wonderful hope we have in Jesus. For in this way only will our world see that Jesus is indeed the light of the world (John 8:12).
