Aberdeen Citadel: Time for Battle

In April, I paid a visit to Aberdeen. A fine city it is, with stately granite buildings and proud institutions. One of its most imposing structures is the Salvation Army Citadel, appropriately built resembling a fortress. Most ‘Sally Army’ premises in England seem to be rather tumble-down affairs, at least in the smaller towns. The Aberdeen corps proudly proclaims its readiness for war. Too many of our churches are feeble and weak, at best barely defending themselves from the prevailing ideology. It’s time we took the battle to the enemy’s gates. Of course this does not involve any physical violence or combat, for ‘we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.’ (Ephesians 6:12).

In our recent magazine, I quoted the great C.T. Studd by saying our chapel should be 'a rescue shop within a yard of hell'. This was ridiculed by some former church members but I would urge no-one to become discouraged in the Lord's service. There will be other so-called Christians who sit at home each Sunday, doing little for Christ. There will be churches whose sole aim is mere existence and paying their bills. May we, however, leave our towers and fortresses and join battle.