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We’re compared as soldiers, in the army for God. And if we’re going to be His army, we need to be the best. And in history, the best, most famous army is the 1st army infantry The Big Red One, a division in World War II (though formed in 1917), was known for liberating the areas it entered. It’s primary goal was not to fight, but to liberate. The point being, we are like The Big Red One. We are here to liberate God’s people; not fight them. Ephesians 6:11-12; 2 Corinthians 10:1-5. We don’t battle the flesh, we spiritually battle the enemy. We are God’s warriors in this spiritual fight. For examples of how to love God’s people this way, we can follow our Commander’s lead. Luke 4:16-21: we are to ‘preach the gospel, heal the brokenhearted, preach deliverance to the captives, recover the sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised…’ [aren’t we all bruised?] {note: captives: (G164, aichmalotos) prisoner of war} Hasn’t God done that for us? By sending Jesus down to this world [torn all apart], hasn’t He preached to us the gospel, healed the brokenhearted…freed us from the bondage of sin? John 4:4-23: Jesus came to the woman at the well without reprimand or judgment of her sins; HE was encouraging and delivered His message. John 8:1-11: Jesus caught the adulteress in her sin, yet didn’t condemn her. He was the only one with the right to judge her and cast the stone, but He forgave her. John 5:4-14: Jesus healed the sick man and restored his hope. [I’d like to insert my Bible notes that “no matter how trapped you feel in your infirmities, God can minister to your deepest needs.”]
In all three of these references, Jesus liberated His people. His concern has always been to free His children. He didn’t condemn them (though it’s interesting to note that the people He did condemn were the church—because their legalism ruled over love). The people in this world don’t need to be condemned for their sins because the enemy has a hold on them. “We don’t have to tell them they’re wrong; we just have to introduce them to God, and then trust Him to liberate them from their sins.” (Elder Don Kinser) It’s our job, as Jesus’ warriors, not to condemn and hold captive His people, but to love others, and liberate them. Matthew 22:34-40: The whole law depends on these two commandments. God doesn’t want us to be mercenaries; He wants us to be merciful. He’s given each of us His mercy—why can’t we reciprocate?
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