Being A Good Soldier

Being A Good Soldier

Robert A. Glass

(2 timothy 2:3)

All of our Veterans have served in military and many have served as soldiers. The duty of a soldier is to serve well, so that he may bring honor to himself, his platoon and his Country. Yes, all HAVE given some and SADLY, some have given all. But this morning I’d like to examine “How To Be A Good Soldier For The Lord”.

(2 Timothy 2:3) “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” This verse tells us to endure hardness. Being an Airman, Marine, Sailor or Soldier is not easy. Training is not easy and battle is worse.

Yet, we today are STILL in battle against the temptations of Satan. (Ephesians 6:11) “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” The WILES of the Devil are his many ways of temptation to lure us into doing evil.

(Ephesians 6:12-18) “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:

WHOLE ARMOUR

Loins Truth

Breastplate Righteousness

Feet Gospel of Peace

Shield Faith

Helmet Salvation

Sword Word of God

Do we have truth in our lives? (John 17:17) “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” The Bible, the word of God is truth. And truth will set us free from sin. (John 8:32) “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (2 Tim 2:15) “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” A workman can be approved and NOT ashamed by studying the Bible, the inspired Word of God. (2 Timothy 3:16-17) “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

You see to be a proper Christian in the eyes of God we have to keep ourselves holy. (Leviticus 20:7) “Sanctify yourselves therefore, and be ye holy: for I am the LORD your God.” (1 Peter 1:15-16) “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” Do we live Holy Lives?

The breastplate is righteousness. But do we live RIGHT lives? Each of us must examine themselves to see if we are in the faith. (2 Corinthians 13:5) “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”

Our SHOES are the Gospel of Peace. The word GOSPEL means GOOD NEWS. And, the good news is that Christ Died on Calvary’s cross so we could be saved from our sins. No ONE wants to die in SIN and be lost.

Our SHIELD is FAITH! (Hebrews 11:6) “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Those who SEEK the Lord WILL find him.

Our Helmet of SALVATION! It protects our head! Without SALVATION, we are LOST. Jesus came to save the Lost. (Luke 19:10) “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

Our SWORD is the word of God. (Hebrews 4:12) “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

What are the thoughts and intents of our heart? The Psalmist David tells us in (Proverbs 23:7) “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:” Do our thoughts show us to be Christian? Are we living our lives FOR God? Would Christ consider you as a GOOD SOLDIER?

Are you a Christian according to the teachings of the New Testament? Have You been Baptized for the remission of sins?