This Sunday is Anzac Day, an important day of remembrance for Australians and New Zealanders. The Anzac soldiers distinguished themselves by being totally committed to the cause of delivering their countries from the tyranny of terror. When evil forces threatened to take our countries captive, brave men rose up and said we will stand for the defence and freedom of our country. What an example and legacy they left as many followed through on their commitment to their cause, to the point of death.

The example of the Anzacs makes me wonder if men and women of grit, courage and determination still reside in this great nation. Are there people who will stand up for freedom, justice and righteousness? It’s a searching question and my response is; I believe there are people of this calibre and they call themselves Christian! They are the men and women who believe in the principle of right and wrong; who are offended by injustice; who seek after righteousness; who will speak out when women and children are oppressed; and who will act to defend the defenceless.

Churches around this nation are involved in all kinds of good works that seek to do exactly this as Christians, people that serve in and support ministries within Australia and overseas. These Christian ministries seek after righteousness, serve the poor, deliver the oppressed, and seek to honour the freedom of all mankind. We don’t hear much about Christian work of this kind in the media, only the shame and embarrassment of Christian failure makes the headlines. The work of God in churches throughout this country however, brings great honour to God - as mission and ministry is undertaken on a daily basis.

Thankfully here at EBC we too are directly involved in ministries that serve the oppressed - ministries that minister to the hurting, and bind up the broken-hearted. Where there is injustice, abuse and unrighteousness, we are reaching out to help, often in the face of significant opposition and with sacrificial dedication toward others. I wonder, have you seen these kinds of ministries at work, are you a part of the ‘miraculous’ deliverance and healing that God is doing in peoples lives?

There is still a war on, but its not for land or country - it’s a war for the souls of precious men and women whose lives have been destroyed by the treachery and deception of Satan and sin. We battle daily to see people delivered from spiritual bondage, and brought into the freedom and light of the gospel.

Look around, scratch beneath the surface and you’ll begin to realise that the war is all around you and there is an enemy who is doing all he can to dissuade and discourage the commitment and sacrificial dedication of brave men and women who seek after justice, mercy and righteousness.

Remembering the soldiers,