"But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. " 2 Corinthians 3:18
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." Ephesians 6:10-13
"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled." 2 Corinthians 10:4-6
When discussing The Quest to Become Recovered in the form of knightly crusades, it's important to note that the term "crusades" historically refers to a series of religious wars initiated by Western European Christians during the medieval period, with the goal of recapturing the Holy Land from Muslim rule. While these historical events were complex and not without controversy, one can still draw parallels between the concept of a knightly crusade and a metaphorical Christian quest to recover from addictions. Here are some illustrative examples:
A Christian knight embarks on a spiritual pilgrimage, seeking not only physical conquest and victory, but also a deeper connection with God in which true victory lies. This involves prayer, fasting, and reflection (not rumination) as they journey towards a sacred destination...becoming recovered.
Similar to medieval knights who saw themselves as defenders of their faith, a modern seeker on a quest to become recovered might see themselves as defenders of their faith in the face of challenges or doubts. This involves actively engaging with others to share their beliefs.
In a knightly quest, medieval knights often aspired to embody virtues such as honor, courage, loyalty and commitment. Similarly, a recovery quest might involve striving to embody Christian virtues like love, compassion, forgiveness, and humility.
The knightly crusade, in a metaphorical sense, may involve battling personal struggles and inner demons. This could include overcoming doubts, temptations, and sins through prayer, self-discipline, and seeking spiritual guidance.
A knightly quest might take the form of an evangelical mission, where individuals actively spread the teachings of Christianity, seeking to convert others to Christ and share the message of salvation.
Like a knight seeking the Holy Grail, a Christian on a quest to become recovered should pursue holiness and a closer relationship with God. This involves a continual striving for personal sanctification (recovering) and spiritual growth.
Knights in medieval crusades engaged in physical warfare; a Christian quest to become recovered will involve spiritual warfare against evil forces. This could include resisting temptation, combating injustice, and promoting righteousness and holiness.
It's essential to approach these metaphors with sensitivity and sensibility, recognizing that historical crusades had complex motivations and outcomes. Not everyone who claimed to be "In Christ" was in fact "In Christ". And not everything was of Christ. Using the knightly crusade metaphor in a contemporary Christian recovery context should emphasize spiritual, ethical, and personal growth rather than promoting violence or hostility.
"For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6:12
Copyright © 2024 Saved Life Christian Recovery Fellowship & Outreach Ministries - All Rights Reserved.
Powered by GoDaddy
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.