A Mending Shift

a bird sings, not because if has an answer to give, but because it has a song to sing … this is my song

The War is Over

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The War is Over.

That is what the leaflets dropped over the Philippines by the U.S. after WWII read. The War is Over. In other words, we, as the United States of America, were saying: We are no longer trying to kill you. As far as we are concerned, you are no longer our enemy.

But there were some who heard and read this good news and did not believe it. They thought these leaflets were lies and propaganda from the enemy. These people were known as “holdouts”. They hid in the Philippines believing that the U.S. and her allies were still fighting against them. They believed they were still at war with an enemy that, in truth, had declared peace on December 31,1946.

One of these Japanese Solider Holdouts was named Onoda. He was the lone survivor of a group of four other holdouts. In fact, 14 years after the war ended he was (incorrectly) declared legally dead in Japan. But in 1974 he realized, through a series of circumstances, that the war was over:

“On March 9, 1974, intelligence Officer 2nd Lt. Hiroo Onoda emerged from the jungle of Lubang Island with his .25 caliber rifle, 500 rounds of ammunition and several hand grenades. He surrendered 29 years after Japan’s formal surrender. When he accepted that the war was over, he wept openly.” (read more…)

Did you catch that? After he accepted — or believed — that the war was over, he wept openly.

The statement to Onoda was not, “The war is over IF you believe it.” The statement was, “The war is over, DO you believe it?” The war was over. Period.

But for 29 years he continued to hide and clutch his weapons and ration his ammo and clean his grenades. His belief that the war was still going on caused him to act accordingly.

A lot of us do the same thing.

Jesus declared peace with humanity 2,000 years ago through his blood and declared, It is finished. He officially signed the cease-fire papers. He sent leaflets to all of us saying. The War is Over.

But some of us are Holdouts. There are some who have heard and read this good news and do not believe it. They are hiding, clutching their familiar and well-used weapons (both religious and secular) thinking that God is hunting them, trying to kill and punish them.

If fact, there are some Holdouts who continue to propagate to the world that the War is NOT Over.  They think the message of God’s gracious and universal good news is nothing but lies and propaganda from the enemy. They tell people that the war CAN be over IF they believe it. Almost as if God’s declaration of peace is somehow dependent on us.

But they misunderstand the role of our belief. Our belief is simply for us, because how we believe is how we act. If we believe God is still against us and looking to eternally punish us, then we will behave like enemies towards God. Much like Onoda and the other WWII Holdouts, this enemy status is all in OUR mind.

And when we hear and believe the truth that God is no longer against us, that we are no longer enemies in God’s mind, that God has declared peace and the war is over, that, in fact, we are his children and he loves us, then that belief changes OUR view of God’s reality. Our belief causes us to repent and change our enemy-stance against God.

Perhaps after we accept, or believe, that the war is over, we will openly weep.

And then we can begin to live in and share the embrace of God. Then, because we believe the good news, we can now spread it. And the news is this simple:

The War is Over.

Love, God

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This entry was posted by on Wednesday, January 7th, 2009 at 10:55 am and is filed under blessing, Christianity, church, ethics, forgiveness, freedom, God, grace, Jesus, Kingdom of God, love, theology, transformation, truth. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

About The Author

Jeromy Johnson
I live in Folsom, CA, with my wife, Jennifer, and three kids. I am surrounded by and cared for deeply by some great friends. Their love for me is truly a moonlit reflection of Papa's love, and for that, I am deeply blessed and grateful.

Comments

  • http://jonathanbrink.com Jonathan Brink

    I love that metaphor. That is awesome.

  • http://jeromyj.com/mendingshift Jeromy

    29 Years!! Yea, it floored me when I read…

  • http://redemption4all.wordpress.com/ Abraham Mackey

    Jeromy,

    Thanks so very much for your post, “The War Is Over.” My wife, Mary, found your blog in a list on a site named “Windblown Hope”. I loved it! That story and the way you used it in relation to Christ’s finished work in the cross was perfect. I forwarded the link to some dear friends of mine whom I have been in an ongoing dialogue with. I also forwarded it to some other friends that do a webcast called the Gospel Revolution. They immediately read it aloud on the show.

    After more than 30 years in evangelical Christianity, we have left and become invisible… at least our church friends think we are invisible and, of course, incongruent, all of which has translated into delicious freedom in Christ and a wondrous fresh outlook at life.

    Keep up the great work and thanks again for allowing the river to flow out from you.

    Abraham

    Abraham's Email: genesis175@sbcglobal.net
    Abraham's Blog: redemption4all

  • http://jeromyj.com/mendingshift Jeromy

    Abraham, I am glad it spoke to you. Thanks for sharing it with your friends and taking the time to leave a message. Tomorrow I'll post the sound bite of their reading of The War is Over. Talk about surreal…

    Blessings and peace,
    Jeromy

  • http://www.edhan-idgod.vpweb.com FULL GOSPEL

    Yes, the war is over … but after this, the tribunal of war crimes against humanity and God. Though it will be more tolerable for Sodom on that day, we must all stand before God's HOLY throne of judgement. Jesus referred to a separation of sheep from goats. Obedient believers to everlasting life, and self-willed unbelievers to “everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels!” It is in the GOSPEL! I am not lying (Matthew 25:41). Therefore, we should be all the more eager to share the loving message of God's good news with a lost and dying world. For if we confess and believe on Christ for salvation (Romans 10:9-10) we will truly be saved.

  • http://jeromyj.com/mendingshift Jeromy

    “Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.”

    “Now that we are set right with God by means of this sacrificial death, the consummate blood sacrifice, there is no longer a question of being at odds with God in any way. If, when we were at our worst, we were put on friendly terms with God by the sacrificial death of his Son, now that we're at our best, just think of how our lives will expand and deepen by means of his resurrection life! Now that we have actually received this amazing friendship with God, we are no longer content to simply say it in plodding prose. We sing and shout our praises to God through Jesus, the Messiah!”

  • http://jonathanbrink.com Jonathan Brink

    Dude, let's all have a mud fight and sling Scripture back and forth at each other.

  • http://jeromyj.com/mendingshift Jeromy

    OK, you've used your “dude” quota for the year when leaving comments here.

    hehehe. Sounds messy, you go first.

  • http://www.tsdi.wordpress.com mooney

    I remember the day that this message really hit me: that God wasn't at war with me. Onoda nailed it on the head, as did Jesus, when they wept.

  • Derek

    Nice Post.

    What's more is that he wasn't the only holdout from WW2. there were a decent number of them in he south pacific and remote Phillipino (sp?) islands. There are rumors that locals circulate to this day to bring in more tourists, and in some cases, gangs will circulate a rumor to draw rich tourists to remote islands… :(
    Last year a joint US Japan venture went looking for MIA graves in the alaskan islands…
    Although the soldier story isn't the point, I still think his story is interesting… He is suposed to still be alive and I've heard a rumor that he runs a camp for kids to teach jungle survival techniques, although I don't know if there is any truth to that.

    Also, congrats on making it to the big time!…or at least as big time as an evangelical webcast can be :)

  • http://jeromyj.com/mendingshift Jeromy

    Hey mooney, I don't remember the day so much as remember the passage that really got me thinking: Romans 5. that one chapter opened up scripture and God's heart like never before. Like that song goes, “I can see clearly now the rain is gone…”

  • http://jeromyj.com/mendingshift Jeromy

    Hey Derek, yea, pretty amazing that they were finding holdouts 6-30 years after the war, and like you said, who knows if there still might be some. Thanks for sharing the additional insight.

  • http://www.chadholtz.wordpress.com Chad

    Awesome.

    I love the line “belief is for us.” It is perhaps the height of arrogance for us to think that our mental assents or dissents can change God's objective reality toward us. As if my kids could alter the fact that I am their father based on whether or not they believe it to be true. I am their dad – period.

    This holdout story reminds me of one Barth used to tell about the soldiers hiding in a bunker in France during the war, even though France was liberated 6 months prior. A soldier flings open the door to announce that the war is over, France was liberated 6 months ago, come out and live in the light. Many believe and run up the ladder, living into their newly won freedom. Many do not and choose to stay in the darkness of their bunker. They are free, they just don't live like they are.

    great post, Jeromy

  • Tracy Simmons

    Chad, your comment brought something to my mind: The other thing that I read about this story when I first heard it years ago was that it took quite awhile for this man to believe the war was over. They had to repeatedly make contact with him (like dropping pamphlets that he'd find in the jungle, etc.) before he believed it was true. I wish I could remember the details, but I even think some of his own family (or maybe it was former fellow soldiers?) had to go out to try to convince him. In any case, this always gives me great hope even for those who are initially very resistant to the truly great news of God. Sometimes people need to repeatedly hear the truth before their hearts can rise up and believe it.

  • http://jeromyj.com/mendingshift Jeromy

    Nice insight, Tracy (as always). I believe they had to find his old commanding officer to give him the orders to come out of hiding and that the war was over.

    Here is what I found: “Despite the efforts of the Philippine Army, letters and newspapers left for them, radio broadcasts, and even a plea from Onoda's brother, he did not believe the war was over. On February 20, 1974, Onoda encountered a young Japanese university dropout named Norio Suzuki who was traveling the wold and told his friends that he was “going to look for Lieutenant Onoda, a panda, and the abominable snowman, in that order. The two became friends, but Onoda said that he was waiting for orders from one of his commanders. On March 9, 1974, Onoda went to an agreed upon place and found a note that had been left by Suzuki. Suzuki had brought along Onoda’s one-time superior commander, Major Taniguchi, who delivered the oral orders for Onoda to surrender.”

  • Pingback: The War Is Over! « Redemption4all

  • http://www.chadholtz.wordpress.com Chad

    Tracy- thank you for that hopeful word

  • Tracy Simmons

    That is great, Jeromy, thanks for posting the full story.

    I love how none of the efforts that went into trying to convince him worked, and he only believed once he heard from his commander. Two scriptures came flying into my mind:

    John 6:44a: “No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him….”

    and

    John 12:32: “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself.”

    We can tell the truth all we want, but ultimately it's the commander who has to do the drawing. I love that!

  • darren

    The War is not Over. Jesus came with an ultimatum, not a cease-fire. Those who surrender are saved, but those who continue to fight will be utterly destroyed.

  • http://jeromyj.com/mendingshift Jeromy

    Darren, I think it is safe to say that we follow two very different understandings of Jesus, which is OK because he loves us regardless. While Jesus was being tortured and killed, when he had the power to “utterly destroy” his “enemies”, he said, “Father, forgive them…”

  • http://ballymennoniteblogger.blogspot.com/ Robert Martin

    I suggest that many of you read some of the comments posted for this article at the Emergent Village blog. Some interesting discussion going on over there.

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  • http://jeromyj.com/mendingshift Jeromy
  • Greg Dill

    Jeromy,

    Great article. Just to be clear, are you implying that no matter what, the war is over for all people irregardless if whether they believe and trust in Jesus Christ or not? In other words, are all people saved even without Christ in their life? Can someone keep on living the way they want, being selfish, and never become a believer of Christ and still live for all eternity with God?

    Peace,

    greg

  • http://jeromyj.com/mendingshift/ Jeromy Johnson

    Hey Greg, great and important questions. From God’s perspective, yes, I believe the war is over towards all humanity. I also believe that God’s chance to extend grace, love, mercy doesn’t end when our heart stops beating. Like I stated above, I do not believe that our “belief and trust” in Jesus causes God to extend mercy and forgiveness. God has already extended grace and forgiveness, whether we believe or trust in that matters to us and our ability to join God’s restorative work in the world. And yes, I believe that someone can live the way they want, being selfish and never believe that Jesus loves and forgives them, and that God will still love and forgive them. Can people still reject God, even after they die? I suppose that is possible, but pure love has a phenomenal ability to melt and change even the hardest of hearts.

    I try to sum up my beliefs (if that’s possible) here: Here I Stand On God’s Love For All.

  • Greg Dill

    Thanks Jeromy. So, your premise if I’m understanding you correctly is that God is not confined to saving people on earth alone, but also in the afterlife. If someone rejects Christ now they are still given another chance to believe and trust Christ after they die. Is that correct? If so, what if people still reject Christ even after death? Then what happens to them?

    This all certainly sounds logical to me. Just not sure if I’m ready to ascribe to this… yet. I will do more reading of Scripture. What passages would you recommend?

    Peace,

    greg

  • Greg Dill

    Jeromy,

    Disregard previous post asking for Scripture passages. I just read your statement of faith. Thanks, my friend.

    Peace,

    greg

  • http://jeromyj.com/mendingshift/ Jeromy Johnson

    As far as verses go, here is a good starting point: reconcilation-scriptures.doc

    As a personal point, Romans 5 really rocked my world reading it through this lens. How can Adam’s sins apply to all even without their belief or consent, but not Jesus’ work on the cross? Even when that passage says “how much more!” in regards to Jesus.

    Correct. I do not believe that God’s hands are tied in extending grace and mercy even after our death. If God’s hands were tied by our death than “death” still has a pretty victory and a nasty sting. There seems to be three God’s in Christian circles:

    A God who wants to save everyone, but can’t.
    A God who can save everyone, but won’t.
    And a God who sent his son to save the world, and will.

    I believe in the latter. What if people still reject God? Well, when it comes down to it, I suppose that’s possible and that will be between God and them. Even if there is a refining punishment or judgment, I believe it will serve a restorative and redemptive purpose and that yes, God will eventually draw all men to himself and will restore all creation. After all, eternity is a long time ;-) .

    And yes, I have hope in the power of love, forgiveness and righteousness. After all, the most hardened people are also typically the most hurting people and most melt under the power of true grace.

  • Greg Dill

    Thanks Jeromy. I will look at the Scripture passages you provided in Romans and the Word document. But, what do you do with passages that state, “believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” Saved from what? And, why believe if God has already redeemed us all? If we are all redeemed and reconciled to God because of His action, and nothing (including belief) is required on our part, then why believe at all even though the Bible tells us to believe?

  • http://jeromyj.com/mendingshift/ Jeromy Johnson

    Great question. I think I Tim 4:10 paints a good picture: “It is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers (also translated “of those who believe”).”

    What we believe makes up reality as we know it. If I believe that God is against me, angry at me, does not forgive me, or my enemy, these beliefs effect how I view/treat God, how I view/treat myself, how I view/treat others…they shape “my” reality both in what I believe is true and also how I behave in the world. In a sense, this belief creates a downward trajectory in a persons life. They are perishing (rotting), they are dying, they are unloved in their mind. Now this belief does not alter the actual reality that God indeed loves them, has forgiven them, is on their side, and they are one of his beloved kids. But it does cloud, shadow and hide this reality in their “minds”.

    But when, much like in this War is Over story, they finally believe that God indeed loves them, has forgiven them, is on their side, and they are one of his beloved kids, then that proper belief of God’s reality changes EVERYTHING for THEM. They are saved from their downward god-hates-me life, they are set free, they are reborn. Their belief didn’t “trigger” God to do anything (forgive, love, save, etc). But their belief now allows them to fully partake in, realize and embrace God’s love for them. After all, eternal life begins now.

    So much like 1 Tim 4:10 alludes, that Jesus is the savior of all men (God’s reality) and how much more so those who believe (our reality right now).

    So belief for me is very important and powerful. But it does not “trigger” god to forgive. After all, why would God ask us to forgive people even before they ask or are repentant, 7×70 times, yet God withhold his forgiveness until we beg on our knees and say “sorry”.

    Curious, are you still with Pioneers?

  • Greg Dill

    Thanks again, Jeromy. Sorry to inundate you with so many questions today. This is all new theology to me. Coming from mainline conservative theology I’ve never been taught any of these things so I’m trying to understand it better. Over the past year or two I have explored some other theologies that are new to me, such as: Anabaptist tradition, Emergent, and Open View Theology (Gregory Boyd). I would say over the past few years my views about hell have greatly changed too, although I still believe in a literal hell. However, I have been very perplexed by so many evangelicals fixation upon hell and condemnation rather than the work of reconciliation Christ achieved for us on the cross. Why do so many evangelicals preach more about hell and condemnation rather than reconciliation? After all, the Good News is that Christ reconciled us to God! We should be proclaiming this Good News from every rooftop and mountaintop in the world.

    Yes, I am still with Pioneers. Are you familiar with them? Great organization. My family and I live and serve in Albania sharing and showing the love of Christ with the Roma people (Gypsies) of Albania. We just got here about 6 weeks ago and are just now starting to get settled in.

  • http://jeromyj.com/mendingshift/ Jeromy Johnson

    No worries, Greg. Your questions are always welcome here. I hoped I helped you understand a bit more where I am coming from. I appreciate you civil tone. Too often, when people don’t share the same theology, bats get taken out and verbal abuse begins. It’s funny because I have read all those verses I gave you for years, but now I see the very same verses (and most of scripture) in a much different light and meaning.

    For me, here is the nutshell. The good news is no longer “you are forgiven IF you believe” but “you are forgiven, believe it”

    Peace, and thanks for sharing about Albania. May god’s grace flourish there.

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