Scripture to Read: Isaiah 58:10, Galatians 6:2, Philippians 2:4, Matthew 5:16
Our relationship with God is key in the fight against darkness. And it is our relationship with others that also is a crucial link God uses to storm back against the enemy.
Being a chaser is simply living out the greatest commandment. We love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and He compels us to love others. We love others so much that we will do whatever it takes to save them from the darkness too. You see, life is not just about having ourselves rescued from the clutches of the enemy. It is about leading others to the light as well.
A chaser is willing to plunge himself/herself back into the darkness, not to give into an old fleshly desire, but to rescue a drowning friend. The U.S. Army is an organization that understands the idea of self-sacrifice and not only looking out for oneself, but looking out for the welfare of those around you. That's a biblical concept! However, the Army models it better than many institutions in the world. In the Army, Soldiers have a term for the men/women that work closest to them. The term is "battle buddy". Battle buddies watch out for each other. They eat together, talk together, work together, share life together, and fight together. A real battle buddy will do anything to watch over and protect the people around him.
There is no doubt that God uses relationships in the spiritual fight against darkness. It is imperative that we do not go at it alone, or leave others to struggle to their demise. The bible says that when we pour ourselves out to help those in need, our light will rise in the darkness. (Isaiah 58:10)
So, not only will we help rescue those in the battle, but we will shine as beacons for God's truth.
It is when Christians don't shine as lights for God's truth, that an unbelieving world struggles to find it's way. Because, if you just look the same as the dark world around you, how can you light the way to God's path?
In The Chaser, Julius is compelled to be a chaser. He feels that his life's calling is to rescue those in the darkness. However, as the chaser, he realizes that he also needs "battle buddies" to help guide him in the darkness. Even if we feel like we've got it all together, when we work to help others in the fight, we will find ourselves getting knocked down and beat up by the enemy. God can easily lift us back up, and many times He does this by using those key relationships around us.
It is when Christians don't shine as lights for God's truth, that an unbelieving world struggles to find it's way. Because, if you just look the same as the dark world around you, how can you light the way to God's path?
In The Chaser, Julius is compelled to be a chaser. He feels that his life's calling is to rescue those in the darkness. However, as the chaser, he realizes that he also needs "battle buddies" to help guide him in the darkness. Even if we feel like we've got it all together, when we work to help others in the fight, we will find ourselves getting knocked down and beat up by the enemy. God can easily lift us back up, and many times He does this by using those key relationships around us.
Discussion Questions: When Julius attends a support group with Jennifer, the leader of the group, Cole, argues that relationships do more damage than good in helping those who are hurting. Do you agree/disagree? How have you seen God use relationships in a powerful way?
Julius first learns the term "battle buddy" from David. Throughout the rest of the story he recognizes at certain points, how God has provided him with "battle buddies" to help him in the storm. Who are the "battle buddies" that God has given you?
As Christians, we are called to care for and love others. Who is God calling you to help rescue today? Who can you be a "chaser" or "battle buddy" to?
){kind=link}