There is a war taking place and it’s not between the church and the world. It is within the church.

In the world system there has always been a battle between the Kingdom of Light and the kingdom of darkness. This battle takes place in the secular arenas of politics and public organizations. The Kingdom of Light desires to proclaim the good news of the gospel publicly and the kingdom of darkness uses all their resources to suppress the message.

Politically we have seen this take place within nations. There have been, and there are today, atheist nations. The former Soviet Socialist Republic (Russia) proclaimed within their constitution that God did not exist. And in our present time there are nations that have elevated false gods, proclaiming that their worship was mandatory while denying their citizens the right to worship Jehovah God. Many times this restriction was literally a death sentence.

However, this is not the battle I am speaking of. Within the church we have a battle taking place between spiritual Christians and secular (carnal) Christians. We see this most evident at the times when we celebrate events that memorialize the foundation of our Christian existence. Let me explain.

There is nothing wrong with bunny rabbits and fictional stories of a good-hearted man passing out gifts. Jesus used parables and illustrations in all of His sermons. However, when the illustration becomes elevated higher than the message and it becomes “politically incorrect” to talk about the true message, something’s wrong.

As Christians, we have two events that we celebrate that represent the foundation of our victory over death. They are the birth and the resurrection of Jesus. We celebrate God sending His Son (Christmas) and God resurrecting His Son (Easter). More than anything else that is taught in the church, these two events should never be diluted or swept aside and replaced as secular holidays. Actually, there is nothing secular about these two events.

I am not advocating that we should eliminate the illustrations of a jolly old man who gives gifts. It’s a wonderful story that when used properly can illustrate how God loved us so much that He gave, but we can never allow the jolly old man to replace the child in the manger.

We live in a time like no generation before. We are surrounded by instant communication along with a continual flood of audio and video. With the ability to make anything we can imagine look real through computer graphics and technology, we must never forget the reality of what actually is real.

With the ability to create anything we can imagine, comes the responsibility of training our children the difference between truth and fiction. Because of God’s great love, He created us within this vast universe. Even though man rejected God and separated himself, God came up with a plan to redeem mankind so that our existence would not be futile, but glorious and eternal. This plan began with the birth and was completed with the resurrection of Jesus. These two events must never be diluted nor shunned, but rather be memorialized and honored as dates that changed mankind for all eternity.

Scripture Reference:

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.
(Rom. 8:5-7)

Larry Ollison

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Dr. Larry Ollison is founder and Senior Pastor of Walk on the Water Faith Church and founder of Larry Ollison Ministries. With over forty years in the ministry, he is a very popular speaker nationally and internationally and ministers the Word of Faith through radio, television, Internet, and daily e-mail devotionals. As the author of twelve books (including The Power of Grace, The Practical Handbook for Christian Living, Breaking the Cycle of Offense, Life is in the Blood, and recently released The Paradise of God), he is in frequent demand for radio/TV interviews, book signings, and magazine publications.

Dr. Ollison was raised a Southern Baptist. While majoring in theology at Southwest Baptist University, he received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. For many years he traveled extensively speaking at Full Gospel Business Men's meetings and conventions. He later earned an M.A. in Theology and a Ph.D. and Th.D. from Life Christian University.

Currently President of International Convention of Faith Ministries (ICFM), Dr. Ollison is also Vice-President of Spirit FM Christian Radio Network, Missouri State Director of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), and a Trustee on the boards of several international ministries. He is also the host of The Cutting Edge Radio Broadcast and authors The Cutting Edge Daily Devotional.

As the owner of a marine dealership, his extensive business background brings a unique flavor to his teaching. He founded and served as chairman of the Missouri State Marine Board, President of the Marine Dealers’ Association, Vice-President of a bank holding company, along with holding several directorships in various corporations.

Dr. Ollison's strongest areas of teaching are the blood of Jesus, faith, relationships, the Hebrew language, the Holy Spirit, the end times, and heaven. During ministry, he operates freely in the gifts of the Holy Spirit. His use of humor and his ability to make a theological concept simple makes it enjoyable and easy for everyone to understand. Countless testimonies have been received from people who say their lives have been changed after experiencing Dr. Ollison's unique ministry.

Dr. Ollison is a pastor, pilot, teacher, and author. His number one goal is to meet the needs of the people through the teaching of faith in God's Word. He and his wife, Loretta, have two children and six grandchildren.