Jump Start # 3805

2 Corinthians 2:11 “So that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes.”

His name was Andre Maginot. He was a Frenchman. He was the minister of War for France. During World War I, Germany marched through France and took over the nation. After the first war ended, it fell upon Maginot to make defenses so that they would not be invaded again, especially from Germany. Maginot built concrete fortifications along the German border. These solid structures could withstand both aerial bombardment and tank fire. In World War I, the Germans made a series of attacks along the German border into France. Maginot felt secure. His border defenses were strong. But, something different happened in World War II. The enemy changed. The Germans didn’t come in waves. One massive invasion took place. And, the Germans didn’t come across the French/German border. Instead, they invaded Belgium and attacked France from the Belgium border. Maginot had not built strong fortifications along the Belgium border. He did not feel that was necessary. If Germany ever attacked again, it would be crossing the French/German border, he thought. Six weeks after Germany invaded France from the Belgium border, France surrendered. To this day, Maginot is a disgraceful name in France and the expression, “Maginot line,” is used to describe a false sense of security.

Maginot expected the enemy to act like it had in the past. The enemy changed his tactics. Maginot failed to calculate that. He failed to be thorough. He was less sophisticated than the enemy. And, how many families and how many congregations make the same mistake today. They do not realize that the enemy has changed. A false sense of security fills the air in many places. All is fine, the leaders declare. But much too often they fail to realize that the congregation is stuck on autopilot and there is a growing segment that wants to be like the churches around them.

Our verse reminds us that we need to be alert, sharp and watchful. The devil has more than one tool in his toolbox. And, while we are focused on the front door, the devil walks right on in through the back door. Replacing faith with feelings and a spirit of tolerance is all it takes for the devil to set up house and to sweep a congregation into error while leaders are ready to fight battles that are no longer taking place.

A false sense of security will shock a family when the finances are not in place. A false sense of security will hurt a nation when enemies attack. And, congregationally, it just takes one generation to embrace the idols of today and to compromise what is true.

What are we to do? How can we prepare?

First, don’t make assumptions that are not there. Maginot assumed that the Germans would operate the way they have in the past. They didn’t. They changed. It’s that assumption that made France vulnerable and weak. What worked in 1970 may not work in today’s world. People change. The enemy changes. Anyone hopelessly stuck in the past will become a victim. Don’t assume everyone knows.

Second, stay on top of things. What are people reading, watching and paying attention to on social media, podcasts, blogs? Do leaders know? The issues that brethren struggled with in the 70’s are not the same as today. Things that seemed so obviously wrong, decades ago, such as gambling, social drinking, today do not seem so obviously wrong to many. Many are doing more than wondering about these things, they are embracing them. We must stay current, fresh and relevant.

Third, being willing to make adjustments. There was a time when a full week Gospel meeting worked. Does it today? Do we even need meetings today? Maybe there are better ways to feed the flock than what was done in the past. Young people thrive on videos. Incorporating such things in the teaching program may be something that is very helpful. Adjustments in how often the flock is fed. Adjustments in the times of services. Adjustments in the format of teaching.

Maginot made no changes. France suffered. He never saw that the enemy changed. Do we?

Roger