The Church is under attack. The surrounding culture continually dashes against the walls of the Church, pushing them farther back and back. What was once verboten in Western culture, divorce and remarriage, homosexuality, killing of the unborn, are now not only accepted, but celebrated. Those who do not approve of such activities are bigoted, homophobic, rigid, and unloving. Morality is crumbling and we feel the onslaught pushing us into an ever-smaller corner. When will the freedoms we have enjoyed for centuries be destroyed and when will we face our accusers and be punished for what we know is true and holy?

At least, that’s what I hear. I do think we are living in a time when Biblical morality is on the decline, but there is something about this picture of a defensive Church that is being inexorably pushed into a corner that doesn’t feel right.

After Peter confessed that Jesus was the Messiah, Jesus told Peter and His disciples: “And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matt 16:18 ESV) Perhaps I’m alone, but I remember not quite understanding what this verse meant. When I read it, I pictured the powers of hell crashing against a stronghold the Church was sheltering inside of. But gates are defensive structures, not offensive weapons. This disconnect puzzled me.

A few years ago I heard a sermon that upended my understanding. The speaker explained that instead of a weakened Church that is taking refuge behind protective walls, Jesus gives us a picture of a Church that is boldly assaulting the gates of Hell’s stronghold. Now the verse made sense.

In these verses, Jesus promised His Church that they would have power and strength to assault and break down the stronghold of the powers of hell, yet we often seem to be on the back foot when we face the onslaught of the surrounding culture. Why?

Perhaps like Peter walking on the water to meet Jesus, we look away from Christ and see the waves and the storm around us. We forget the strength we have, and we begin to sink. Or, perhaps, the victory we have been promised is not quite what we expect.

We have examples throughout history of men and women who died for their faith with an inner strength their adversaries couldn’t understand. There strength did not bring them political victory, but in the end, the gates of Hell could not stand against them.

I am just as scared as the next man to face ridicule, torture, or imprisonment. But Jesus told us to not be afraid.

So have no fear of them, for nothing is covered that will not be revealed, or hidden that will not be known. What I tell you in the dark, say in the light, and what you hear whispered, proclaim on the housetops. And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. (Matt 10:26-31 ESV) emphasis added

The simple shift of the Church from a defensive to an offensive posture fundamentally changed my view of the Church. When Christ has promised us that neither death nor the powers of darkness can withstand us, how should this affect our views of the current cultural and political movements and our efforts to spread the Kingdom? When almighty God has promised us victory—why do we fear?