The Lord describes our service in many different ways. He employs various
figures of speech to illustrate various aspects of discipleship. Disciples
are described as runners in a race, as sheep following a shepherd, as
friends, as servants, as brethren, as living stones, as sons and daughters,
as citizens of a kingdom, as new creatures… the list could go on.
One figure also used is that of a soldier. While the Bible makes it quite
clear that our warfare and weaponry is spiritual, and not physical, there
are still many parallels between being a successful soldier in God's kingdom
and a successful soldier in the physical realm. Paul mentions one: a soldier
needs to be free from distractions as he exercises his duty (2 Timothy 2:4).
Paul gives emphasis to the idea of “active service”. That is, after all,
what is involved in successful discipleship: activity.
In our own nation, the government has made provisions for its soldiers so
they can train and serve with a minimum of interference of everyday
concerns. Families are often provided with living quarters and access to
medical care, education, inexpensive staples, etc. Reservists' employers are
asked to excuse reservists from their jobs when called up to active duty.
This is so “the affairs of everyday life” will not deter the soldier from
focusing on his mission. It is a detriment when military families suffer
need because then the soldier's attention and concern becomes divided. He
thinks about their needs not being met instead of his work.
The victory that comes to the successful soldier who has fought the good
fight of faith is eternal life (1 Timothy 6:12). In the army, a soldier who
does not put forth his fair share is referred to as a “goldbricker”. The
Lord has called us into “active service” and we need to be active. We need
to be true and carry out our duty.
Consider some of the aspects of being a soldier of Christ.
The Weapons of the Soldier of Christ
Because the warfare is spiritual, and not physical, do not make the mistake
of thinking it is not important, or fierce, or costly, or real. Do not
underestimate the potential for injury or death in a spiritual war.
Casualties in this war brings spiritual and eternal death!
That is not a pretend death, but real and permanent. Understand, when a
faithful Christian dies physically, the Lord will raise Him up unto life
eternal; death is only a passing on to victory ( John 11:24-27). But eternal
death is the consequence of losing the spiritual war (Romans 6:23; Galatians
6:7,8; Revelation 20:14; 21:8). Through the media, we have seen some pretty
horrific consequences of physical war. But as bad as they are, may none of
us ever face the far worse consequences of suffering eternal death because
we lost the spiritual conflict!
It's a matter of tactics. You do not want to rush archers on a wall with
swordsmen without some means of scaling the wall. In modern warfare,
combined arms is important. Against aircraft you need anti-aircraft guns.
Against tanks you need antitank guns. It is important to know your enemy.
So, let's consider the enemy. The first thing to know is that he is not
interested in peace, but in your destruction (1 Peter 5:8). No peace! No
compromise! No quarter asked nor given; To surrender is to be defeated. That
is important to know.
It is also important to know the battlefield. Jungle warfare is fought
differently than mountain, or city warfare. Ski troops with white
camouflaged uniforms would not fare well in desert combat.
So, let's consider the battlefield (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Having considered
the spiritual nature of the place of conflict, we can begin to see what
weapons we need. The fortresses we seek to destroy are the sins and
speculations of the world which exalt themselves against God and His
righteousness; and the battle begins in our own hearts. It is there that
Satan seeks to gain ground, and that is where we must stop him! “For as he
thinks within himself, so he is.” (Proverbs 23:7 ; Mark 7:20-23).
Those who have obeyed the gospel unto the remission of their sins have
enlisted. Like any conflict, some go A.W.O.L. (absent without leave). But
for those determined to be successful soldiers, how do we arm ourselves
against Satan on this battlefield? Paul describes our panoply (a complete
set of arms and armor-see Ephesians 6:10-17). The doubtful, the neglectful
and the lethargic have no defense against the flaming darts of the evil one!
The Warfare of the Soldier of Christ
The “Battle Hymn of the Republic” declared “His truth is marching on.” I
hope that is more than just a line out of a patriotic song for you, for it
states a divine purpose God gives to His soldiers. It is amazing that people
will sing the song with little or no idea what His truth is! We fight to
advance God's truth in an often hostile world, but remember, our weapons are
not carnal.
The truth is the gospel of Jesus Christ and it is a truth not only to be
believed but to be practiced even when conflict between the truth and the
world rages (John 1:14; 3:19-21; 8:31,32; 8:43-47). We will not abandon our
cause, nor our post. We will support our fellow soldiers as a band of
brothers.
We are not mercenaries. We do not serve the highest bidder for our services.
We serve out of loyalty, love, honor and devotion to our King. We do not
serve only in times of ease, but turn tail and run when the sacrifice might
be too great. We fight for the king, and we are in it for the duration. I
hope that all of us would be able to affirm that this is so. Our warfare
will be over when the Commander says so (1 Corinthians 15:54-58).
Final Thoughts on Warfare and Good
Soldiering
With confidence in God, when the battle is engaged and the world issues a
challenge, such as Goliath did, “I defy the ranks of Israel this day; give
me a man that we may fight together." (1 Samuel 17:10) we will respond with
the assurance of faith, as David did, “The LORD who delivered me from the
paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the
hand of this Philistine." (1 Samuel 17:37). The goal of this warfare is not
to inflict harm on fellowmen, but by fighting the fight to win some for
Christ. It is to purify our hearts, and influence others to do the same.
That is why we must be prepared for the defense and confirmation of the
gospel.
So many today fail to understand that without this warfare, there is not
real discipleship. Often, we are expected to be docile, non challenging,
laid back and to only discuss these matters in the most compromising and
tepid ways. While the Christian's speech should always be “seasoned as it
were, with salt” and we should be careful as to “how we answer each one” and
seek to be at “peace with all men so far as it depends on you”… at the same
time we must faithfully discharge ourselves as soldiers on a battlefield
enrolled in active service. Our enemy seeks to destroy, his time is
shortened, our victory over him will be everlasting. But for there to be
victory, first the battles must be fought and won.
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