Christian soldiers have enlisted in the greatest army of the world.
We are in the Army of the Lord (II Tim. 2:3, 4). We have the greatest
leader ever known to this world; it is Christ Jesus, the Son of God. This
leader is the most powerful leader; because He is God’s Son and has been
given all power in heaven and on earth. (Matt. 28; 18; Heb. 2:10) He is
head over all things to the Church. (Eph. 1:22)
The one who is considering enlisting or joining the Army of God
must give some thought to what she is committing her life to. She must
“count the cost”. (Lk. 14: 31, 32) The cost will be great, but it will
be worth everything the soldier must give up, because there is no greater
reward than to be found a faithful soldier when we meet God on the judgment
day. (II Tim. 4:7, 8)
When a man, woman, boy or girl enlists in this army, they are
saying that they will be willing to give their life for Christ. If they
are called upon to die for Christ and His cause, they will do so. If a
person is not willing to do this, then they should not enlist in this army.
(Rom. 6:6; Gal.2: 20, 6:14)
Christian Soldiers must be prepared to meet the enemy, Satan.
(I Pet. 5:8) They must take up the full armor of God, so they can resist
in the evil day, the day Satan attacks. (Eph. 6:13-18) They must study
God’s word so their loins will be girded with truth. (II Tim 2:15)
They must put-on the breastplate of righteousness, conducting themselves
in a godly manner. They must shod their feet with the preparation of the
gospel of peace, to be ready to preach and teach the gospel to our neighbors,
friends and the whole world. (Matt. 28:19, 20) They must wage a good warfare.
Christian soldiers must be children of God to take the helmet
of salvation. They must have believed in Christ, that He is the Son of
God and then repented of their sins and confessed Christ’s name before
an audience and then been baptized for the forgiveness of sins. (Lk. 8:24;
Matt. 10:32; Lk 13:3; Mark 16:15, 16; Acts 2:38; Rom .6)
Until a person is old enough to understand all of this, they
cannot become a child of God, or a Christian soldier. Until one is old
enough to become a Christian Soldier, they can be in training, much like
the Civil Air Patrol, or ROTC. Their training will be preparing them to
become a soldier when they are old enough. There is no time to waste. Christ
is looking for a “few good hearts” to be His soldiers. (II Chron 16:9)
Christian Soldiers must have the helmet of salvation to guard
the mind and keep it pure. This they can do by studying God’s word and
thinking on those pure and lovely things as listed in Phil. 4:8...
They must have their sword, the word of God, sharp. In other words, their
knowledge must be keen and sharp. They must study regularly. (I Pet. 3:15)
Christian Soldiers will and must pray often and be on the alert for
Satan’s attacks. They will not go to sleep on duty. The soldier of
God cannot do this alone. He or she needs his commander’s help. They will
pray daily. (Matt. 6: Mark 1:35; II Thess. 5:17) They must listen to their
Commander’s voice and obey His commands without question. This listening
will be studying God’s word again.
Christian Soldiers will feed themselves on the pure word of God
daily to be strong. They will exercise so as not to grow faint in the day
of battle.
(I Tim. 4: 7, 8; Prov. 24:10) Christian soldiers will be happy soldiers
and get a good reward in the Day of Judgment. They will not be ashamed
when facing God. They will be a good example to their fellow soldiers
and the world. (I Tim. 4:8)
Don’t you want to be a Christian Soldier in the greatest army
the
World has ever known? Don’t you want to be in the battle against Satan?
Don’t you want to be on the winning side when Christ Jesus comes to get
His Christian Soldiers? Don’t you want to hear these words from Jesus?
“You have been a good and faithful servant and fought a good
fight, welcome in to the joys of thy Lord!” I DO!!!!
Onward Christian soldier! Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before;
Christ the royal Master leads against the foe;
Forward into battle, see His armies go!
Crowns and thrones may perish, Kingdoms rise and wane,
But the Church of Jesus constant will remain;
Gates of hell can never ‘gainst that Church prevail;
We have Christ’s own promise, and that cannot fail,
Onward, then ye people, join the happy throng;
Blend with ours your voices in the triumph-song;
Glory, laud and honor, unto Christ the King,
This thru countless ages, men and angels sing.
Onward, Christian Soldiers! Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before.
(Sabine Baring-Gould, Songs of the church)
