Relentless

Have you ever been so committed to something that you would have given your all, including your very life? If the answer to this question is yes, then you have some idea what motivated me to write this article.

What is this relentlessness I hear people speak of, and why is it an essential part of the Christian experience?

"Mercilessness characterized by an unwillingness to relent or give up; steadfast determination." Christ was rejected by his own, despised by the church world, and betrayed by those he held close. Yet, he continued to seek out the lost and denounced the doctrines of his day. He gave his life for the very people that betrayed him. In a word, he was relentless.

Just as Christ was persistent in doing his Father’s will, this same attitude must be the driving force for every believer.

A spirit of wickedness has taken over our land and we must be alert and watchful. There is an all out attack on God’s people and trouble is brewing. We are a people at war. What will we do? What do we have to combat this attack?

As believers, we have God given authority over the power of the enemy but having authority is not enough. We must pray to the Father that he will impart unto us a spirit of "relentlessness."

Speaking of being relentless, I recall growing up and encountering people who fought as a way of life. If any one was being bullied or taken advantage of, they would show up and avenge the innocent. These individuals were not necessarily from the same family nor did they know each other. The only thing they had in common was fighting. Like the Tareyton cigarette commercial, "They rather fight than switch."

So what I am saying? Am I advocating violence? You better believe it! "The kingdom has suffered a violent blow. The enemy has seduced and captured her; refusing to give her back. Since he has made his agenda clear and has no interest in playing fair, only those with the capacity for violence will be able to rescue her. Matthew 11:12(paraphrased)

The violence I am advocating here is not an unlawful assault; but an act of earnest deliberation. We must foster the same energy as those who do engage in earthly assaults but our warfare is not of a carnal nature and neither are our weapons.

Like soldiers trained in the art of war, we must be capable of doing battle. Our minds, hearts, thoughts and ideas must be focused on one theme: Winning. Yes the kingdom has indeed suffered but we can redeem her. How? By force. It is how we win, conquer the enemy, and search for the heart of God.

Consider the words of Kalilily, "Relentlessness is one of my best qualities, and my worst. It’s the one that allowed me whatever successes I have."

David’s persistence is what motivated him to declare, " As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee." Psalm 42:1.

Just as a deer would cease to live independent of the water, our soul’s need for God is an absolute necessity. There is no getting on without him.

I encounter people from all walks of life who are unwilling to give up on life. They are totally committed to their family, friends, etc. When asked why don’t they give up and throw in the towels, many reply, "I can’t just walk out on them, they need me." People, this same steadfast determination is exactly what the body of Christ needs. We must be relentless in our pursuit of Him (God) as well as our devotion to His cause: namely, upholding and protecting the integrity of the scripture.

Like Christ, we should not be interested in our own will nor our agenda. Rather, the preservation of the kingdom should be our ultimate goal. Phrases like, "whatsoever it takes, or nevertheless," must be our attitude when problems and obstacles arise. We must be willing to die for Christ. The apostle Paul said it best, "For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain." In Christ, death is equal access to the keys of the kingdom because He is the only means whereby death is not a loss, but a gain.

While I by no means advocate the killing of another human being, I can’t help but be amazed at the depth suicide bombers take to promote their cause. I often wonder, "What driving force propels an individual to suicide, how can they get up enough nerve to kill themselves, what goes on in the minds of these people? Whatever the answers and I’m sure there are many, these people have undeniable courage. They are truly relentless in going after whomever and whatever they view is the antithesis of what they believe and hold dear. There are no limits to what they will do. I have read accounts of how they move into neighborhoods, adopt the lifestyles of the people they are pursuing, attend their schools, learn their cultures, work on their jobs, and eventually take their lives. People this is the very essence of what being relentless is all about.

Until the church possess this type of courage and persistence of learning about Christ, adopting his ways, living as He lived, and totally giving ourselves over to Him, we will never fully achieve what it is that God has for us. Hence, we will never truly overcome or be fulfilled.

We must have the same relentless nature that led Christ to his death. Yes, we must be willing to die if it is necessary. Like the suicide bombers: The cause must be greater than the concern for our own lives.

Just as Jesus told his disciples, "Except a man leaves father, mother, sister, he can in no wise follow me." Nothing is more important than following me is the message Christ is sending: first, to his disciples and now, to you and me.

Just as He came to do the will of His Father, we must not hesitate to do His will.

My message to believers everywhere is, " The battle lines have been drawn. We need soldiers who are not afraid of death. To win, we must be violent, persistent, and relentless.

In closing, remember, "It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog."

By Travestine J. Wright