In the Army of the Lord

So many times in the Christian life we are called upon to stand up for our faith, to stand for what is right and to battle with sin, just be good Christians. The newborn Christian and actually all Christians have a constant battle against evil. Yes, Christians have to fight for truth and we will take a look at the way he has to fight it.

"For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law." Galatians 5:17,18

Here we can see that one of the things that we are in constant battle with, it is the flesh; these Bible verses talk about how the Holy Spirit and the Flesh are constantly trying to outdo one another. When you were saved you received the Holy Spirit, but that old sinful nature that is supposed to be dead is always poking his dirty head up and trying to get control of you again, if you continue to read that chapter then you will receive a list of things that we do as a result of letting the flesh take control and there is also a list of things that come about in us if we let the Holy Spirit take control.

Anybody who is a true Christian can definitely agree with me that the war with the flesh is something that goes on for every day of our lives.

"Be sober be vigilant; because your adversary the Devil, as a roaring lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour: Whom resisteth steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." 1 Peter 5:8, 9

Here is another thing that we are in constant battle with, the Devil does not like us and he will do everything in his power to bring us down and make a big failure, a big nothing out of our Christian lives. Especially if you are trying to do something for Christ, the devil really does not like that.

How can we fight? Let’s take a look at some of the qualities of a good soldier.

Just like in any army, a good soldier must be obedient and ready to take orders. "Casting down imaginations and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." 2 Corinthians 10:5

One of the things that we must do in our life as a Christian is be obedient to Christ, The Lord cannot do anything with anybody that is not willing to follow Him and do His will. When Christ tells us to do things, sometimes it seems that what He is asking us to do has no purpose, or it looks so dangerous that we are afraid of getting hurt, in so doing we are disobedient and not only do we loose the blessing that God had prepared for us, we also did not listen to our captain and a vital part of God’s plan for our lives was left out…of course God can always send somebody else, He has all kinds of soldiers, but if you were the one God prepared for that mission, if you were the one that was originally supposed to do it, then it is a great shame for you and there can be no victory for somebody that could not be obedient.

"Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." 2 Timothy 2:3

Being in this spiritual battle is not easy, many times it is hard, so hard in fact that a lot of the soldiers that originally signed up decided to take a back pew in church and just keep their heads down. God never said that the Christian life was going to be easy, He promised strength to get through, comfort in times of sorrow, and a great reward at the end, but He never said that it was going to be easy.

There are many other qualities of a good soldier :

Show courage: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing." 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Fight hard: "Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses." 1 Timothy 6:12

Be pure: "Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us." 1 Peter 2:11, 12

Be alert: "Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8

Be faithful: "Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith." 1 Timothy 1:18-19

May we all be good soldiers fighting under the flag of love, love does not heart anyone.