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?
First: You must Hear the word (Romans 10:17) “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
SECOND: We must BELIEVE in Jesus as the Only begotten Son of God. (John 6:68,69) Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.
THIRD: We must REPENT of our sins. (Luke 13:3&5) “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
FOURTH: We must CONFESS Christ to be the ONLY begotten son of God. (Matthew 10:32-33) If we confess Christ here in front on MEN, Christ will confess US in front of GOD!
FIFTH: We MUST be baptized, NOT sprinkled or Poured as a Baby, but as an adult. (Mark 16:15, 16) “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. (1 Peter 3:21) “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:”
IF someone here is a baptized member of the church and hasn’t been living according to righteousness, NOW is the time to return to the Lord before it’s eternally too late. (James 5:16) “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
If you would like to put on Christ in Baptism, a baptistry is available and we are waiting to assist. If something in your life is not right with God and you need The prayers of the Church...Come Now as we stand and sing.
