A SOLDIER OF JESUS, IN THE ARMY OF GOD
Ephesians 6:12-13
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armour of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
We have been told over the last couple of months that we have been called in army service, it is not voluntary, and you just have to pitch up. We have learnt how to become one with Christ, in Christ, how being part of a team will get us there.
So we have been drafted, majority of you all stood when asked if you would like to be a soldier, now comes the testing, a medical exam to see if you are eligible, a short insight course to discipline and basic army training.
Now there are three types of soldiers:
1. Compromisers (rationalize position rather than take a stand)
2. Quitters (can’t take the heat of the battle)
3. The faithful (no assignment is too tough and no battles too fearful)
The first quality we need to look at is: are you a follower? Does a soldier conform to orders? Now in a Christian way this implies relationship: Is the Lord our God your personal saviour? It implies rank: every child of God is under ranked under Jesus and is responsible for following Him and His will for their lives. (Judges 7:1-9, only some are chosen). It implies rule: in a soldiers life to refuse to follow orders is treason. When we refuse to live as the Lord desires, then we have crossed the line from follower to traitor. (James 4:17 If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.)
The second quality we need to look at is: are you faithful? Patience: - A good soldier endures hardship and does not quit, he realizes that there will be trouble along the way but will not be detoured. Us as Christians must understand that pain is often part of the Christian experience. (John 16:33 - “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”)Priorities: - a soldier always seeks to please the commander, so for us pleasing God ought to be your first priority. (1 Corinthians 10:31- so whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.) (1 Corinthians 6:20- you were bought at a price. Therefore honour God with your bodies.) Practice: the soldier takes care of the things delivered to him, he refuses to bring disgrace and dishonour upon his superior. Are you keeping the faith this morning, do you bring dishonour to the Lord? (Philippians 1:27 - Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel)
The third quality we need to look at is: are you familiar? With the sound of the commander’s voice. Do you recognize the Lord’s voice when He speaks? Do you read your bible and pray daily? (John 10:3-5 - The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep listen to his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice. But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”) With your weapons? Armour of God (Ephesians 6) with the enemy? The good Christian soldier needs to be wise to the ways of the devil and he needs to know that the Lord Jesus is greater than any enemy we will ever face. Watch what you say, watch your emotions, do not let the devil in. (1 John 4:4 - You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.) with friends. A soldier cares about the welfare of others. We as Christians need to go to church for fellowship of others.
The fourth quality we need to look at is: are you a fighter? A soldier stands his ground and fights until the battle is over with determination. Many Christians drop out, are you one of them? A soldier is driven to the finish of the battle. Many Christians quit on the Lord, does that describe you? I challenge you to keep serving and keep fighting. A soldier is dedicated to his oath. Are you determined to live for the Lord regardless of the personal cost? Do you tell others about God, Jesus, Eternal life?
The fifth quality we need to look at is: are you a finisher? A soldier does not quit at the first hint of trouble, he has resolve. Are you in it until the day you die? Why, you ask, for what reason? Simple the Lord Loves you and made a way of salvation for you. And our reward, will be waiting for you on your day of blessing, do you not want to hear the Lord say: ( Matt 25: 23 - “His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’)
The sixth quality we need to look at is: can you be identified? By looking at a soldier’s uniform you can see what branch of service they are in, what job they hold, and how long they have been serving. Now when others look at you, can they see Christ in you, are you like Christ? (Ephesians 4:24 - and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.) A soldier obeys his orders to what he does and where he must be. As believers we must understand what the Lord commands us to do in His word are not suggestions… they are our responsibility to perform.) The more ribbons and medals a soldier has on his chest the more experience he has. Now our experiences in serving the Lord may bring us some reward or it may bring us some scars, but it will identify us as serving in His army doing His will. A good soldier endures hardness. Can you say of yourself like St Paul, I have been thru hard things, been stoned, been shipwrecked, beaten and placed in dungeons, I was alone but (2 Timothy 4:7 - I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.)
Today we have fainters at the first hint of adversity, many melt under criticism, and St Paul would have called us ‘raw recruits ’and rebuked us. A soldier enlists others, they are a unit together. What are we doing for the cause of Jesus, are we recruiting others?
Remember the world hates a Christian, but how do we get taken seriously when you fight with the enemy during the day and party with the enemy at night, we have to become faithful and believe in the cause, no soldier will give their best if they do not believe.
We have been chosen and it is an active service, We have to prepare ourselves daily, how?
By studying our bible, by prayer that brings the power of the Holy Spirit, by going to church, receiving the food our soul and spirit needs, by trusting in God and listen for his instructions for battling against the enemy and to learn each day to put on the armour of God.
Our saviour has said, “I will never leave or forsake you.” (Joshua 1:5; Hebrews 13:5)
We are challenged to go forward for the cause of Christ and be good soldiers for Him. Are you therefore willing to endure hardship and thus please Him who enlisted you as a soldier?
