“You do you.” I hate that phrase. It’s defeatist. It gives up. It stops caring. UDU says, “I’m not going to interfere with your life. I will just go live mine.”
Isn’t that a picture of Christian America today? The vast majority of us are pacifists refusing to get offended by words and even actions. The evidence is seen every day in our response to the taunts and teases of those that defy our God.
Young David didn’t see it that way. He heard of the actions of the Philistines and their giant He couldn’t believe it. “How could this man defy God?” He asks, shocked. Not only was Goliath spitting in the face of God he was taunting all of Israel. And, Israel was the army of God! David was offended. So offended would not, could not, stand for it.
Do you get offended, when you see people spit in the face of God? How do you respond? how do you respond? Do you wave the white flag of defeat? Do you dismiss the offense, look the other way and say, “You do you?” I do.
Two things contribute to my response: fear and identity. You see, I’m afraid of what comes with being offended. Like David, being offended comes with responsibility that I would rather not accept. It’s way easier to be a victim than it is to take action. Especially when that action comes with severe consequences. The second thing is identity. David called Israel “the army of God,” and he was a soldier. We don’t see ourselves as soldiers today, but Christians used to. As a child in church, I remember singing the hymn, “Onward Christian Soldiers!” I wonder why we don’t sing it anymore?
If you’re inclined to take up arms and assume your role as a soldier in God’s army, you’ll want to keep in mind what a Christian soldier looks like. Jesus didn’t arm himself with weapons of war. In fact, he chastised Peter for using a sword. Jesus’ weapons are love and kindness, generosity and care. That tells me that the fight is not the fight that you think it is. Victory is not achieved by being the loudest voice in the room, winning the debate, or bloodshed. Victory comes when souls are redeemed, lives are made whole, and love prevails.
1 Onward, Christian soldiers,
marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
going on before!
Christ, the royal Master,
leads against the foe;
Forward into battle,
see his banner go!
Refrain:
Onward, Christian soldiers,
marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
going on before!
2 At the sign of triumph
Satan’s host doth flee;
On, then, Christian soldiers,
on to victory!
Hell’s foundations quiver
at the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices,
loud your anthems raise!