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 INTRODUCTION
We often hear our earthly existence referred to as the 'Game of Life.' Although life might be considered a game to some, according to scripture, spiritual life definitely is not meant to be a walk in the park! "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (Eph. 6:12). As it is better to treat the cause of the disease rather than the symptoms, we must realize that physicality is mostly a manifest symptom of deeper spiritual causes and motivations. So, what are some of the things that we must struggle against here in the West?
THE ONE MAN BAND
Independence is the 'virtue' that rose out of the American Revolution, a rightful reaction against British autocracy. But the great American celebration of individuality, and the cultural suggestion that reliance on others may be a weakness, has seeped into the Body of Christ and weakened its defenses against an all-present enemy. Our contemporary culture of independence, with the Fourth of July being its holiday, is just the opposite of the biblical world view. "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow; but woe to him that is alone when he falls, and has not another to lift him up. Again, if two lie together, then they have warmth; but how can one be warm alone? And if a man prevail against him that is alone, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken." (Ecc. 4:9-12).
TEAM MINISTRY
Wherever I have traveled around the world during the course of my ministry, one thing stands out. Those successful ministries that are successfully impacting their communities, whether they are churches, movements or denominations, always reflect some aspect of team ministry based on the five-fold ministries of Ephesians 4:11. Even many of the relatively high number of independent churches and ministries in the United States are beginning to see the value of networking with others. Substituting interdependence for independence, they are learning to function as a team. The days of the 'one man band' in ministry are long gone. God has us in a new season now.
 FOR THE SAKE OF THE MISSION
I recently watched a documentary on SWAT teams, which outlined some operational principles for success that the church would be very wise to heed. The first was, 'We must be prepared to forgo comfort for the sake of the mission.' In a culture where our Christianity has become just another option among the many vying for our attention, no great level of commitment can be expected when there is no strong sense of mission, especially if it may mean putting our lives on the line. The American church has to jolt itself out of the 'holy social club' mentality and recapture the sense of a cause worth dying for. Our comfortable Christianity is a diversion from our God-given mission. So what if the air-conditioning is broken, let's still go to church!
TRUST THE ONE YOU'RE WITH
The level of trust in a swat team is astonishing. All members have their own level of responsibility, and must trust the other members to do their job. The survival of each member and the success of the mission depend on the level of trust that can be established. It's time for the church to put away suspicions and realize that only when we are unified can the Lord truly build the house. We must trust each other with our lives. We must cover each other's backs and vulnerabilities. Each member of the SWAT team understands his responsibility to shield the blind spots of his teammates.
THE GOLDEN RULE
The SWAT team's golden rule is to never enter a room or territory by yourself. A lone wolf in ministry will have very little lasting effect, but together we can subdue a whole region. In spiritual terms, let us speak out, proclaim, declare, rebuke, announce and pray together, knowing full well that one can only put a thousand to flight, but when we all link arms together, the sky is the limit. The devil does not play by any rules. The way to defeat him is to play by team's rules. Let's go out together and SWAT all those spiritual flies, to the glory of God!
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