I have a buddy who is uncanny in his ability to send me a text with words of wisdom at opportune times.

Sometimes it is possible to grow discouraged, we would all surely admit, especially as we see the continued disintegration and imbecility of our times. And I am so encouraged when my buddy sends me texts like this one he sent me yesterday: “It is better to be a warrior in a garden, than a gardener in a war.”

I am not for certain who said it or penned it. For all I know, he did. He has some zingers. But this one put wind in my sails. Here’s why.

I think we’re at a crossroads in our day. For Christians, it is my view that we are not to retreat. We are to “go into all the world” because Christ has all authority (Mt 28). We’re to disciple the nations, not retreat from them. We are not to do this by force like Islamists do it, but by modeling and heralding the law of God and the grace of God in the gospel. We point people to God’s holiness, our sin, Christ’s person and work, and our need to flee to Christ in repentance and faith, and in Him we find welcome and rescue and restoration.

I’m not a political person at all, frankly; I despise politics. I’ve had to shake the hands of bureaucrats, and it is akin to handling reptiles. That is also the imagery Scripture uses to describe evil and soldiers of Satan (dens of snakes; broods of vipers, etc.).

We are to bear witness, however, to the gospel, not hide the light of the gospel under a basket. We are to be salt and light. How clear is this in Scripture! The fact that we need to even stress it is an indictment. The gospel is to compel Christians to bear witness to its power in our daily lives.

But the church, what about the church? The mission of the church, as I understand it from Scripture, is multifaceted. Here are some of the church’s directives from Scripture: worship; service; observance of the sacraments; prayer; fellowship; evangelism; discipleship, etc.

We’re at a crossroads in our day. The temptation is for some believers to cower rather than to call upon the Lord. When David went to battle with Goliath, the unbelieving world scoffed at David. How could a mere boy slay a giant of a man, a tested warrior? But David did not purport to be a political savior or a John Wick of the 900s B.C. No, he was God’s man who knew God and knew God’s power. The sling and smooth stones were just the means that the King of kings used through the obedience of David. That’s the key: obedience to show up for the battles but in the power of God. It’s dominion God’s way, but God’s way calls for courageous warriors.

Jesus is the Lion of Judah as well as the Suffering Servant. Gentle and lowly, yes, but also the King who walked out of a tomb, stilled the seas, raised cadavers, spoke light from darkness, granted sight to the blind, caused the lame to walk, and cast demons into hell. He’s the One before whom the demons tremble.

We need discerning and courageous soldiers for Christ, that is my view. Paul knew it and lived it; Stephen knew it and lived it; Peter knew it and lived it; David knew it and lived it; Esther knew it and lived it; Daniel knew it and lived it; the apostle John knew it and lived it; John the Baptist knew it and lived it.

Did they all fall short many times? Of course. Who doesn’t? Just one, of course–the Christ of God. That’s the point. He’s the Hero of the story of redemption, the metanarrative of all narratives, the Lamb and Lion, the Logos, the Anointed One, the Holy One of God. He’s the Warrior and the Gardener who calls His people to take dominion and herald His saving message to all who will hear and come to the table prepared for them.