Soldiers Of Christ

So far the weapons are defensive, to protect the combatant soldier. But the ultimate weapon, the sword of the Spirit, is the Word of God that provides a strong offense. Combat swords were sharp and double edged that cut effectively on the forward swing and again on the backswing. A secondary implication was that God’s Truth shows no favoritism. Truth is truth.

So, once trained and armed, soldiers of either army are sent to the field to perform their missions. God’s soldiers are meant to go to various churches as pastors, teachers, lay speakers, administrators. It takes a variety of skills and continuing training for a church team to become an effective combat unit. And continuing training increases the effectiveness of Jesus’ army of churches. Church members, once new recruits, become seasoned veterans. Veterans who recruit others. Veterans who continue to train less experienced veterans.

We see a good example of this in our Epistle lesson from Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy. Paul had met Timothy as a young man, who may have already been recruited as a disciple, and may have already undergone his “boot camp“ training. Calling him his “beloved and faithful child in the Lord”, Paul takes Timothy to his heart. He takes Timothy on mission trips, continuing to train him, before appointing him as his messenger to the unruly Corinthian church, and later as a pastor to the Ephesians. Paul’s two letters to Timothy offer many encouraging words and wisdom for his young protégé’s faith. Paul, later writing in prison chains, encourages Timothy to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, inviting him to join with him in suffering for

Christ, like a good soldier. Paul is saying that if Timothy is to follow in his mentor’s footsteps, he must look upon himself as a leader in Christ’s army, as a tried veteran, a good soldier of Jesus Christ, prepared for the dangers and trials which in those days awaited such a calling. Paul advises Timothy that no one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his Commanding Officer.

Paul’s advice could have well been written to any of us, especially after this election. When we get tangled up in the messes of the world - false teachings, political commitments, hateful dialog - our Commanding Officer is under the American flag instead of the Christian flag. That’s not to say we shouldn’t be involved in American responsibilities, like voting, or opposing the wrongs of society and supporting the good things, but our first allegiance is as a veteran in Christ’s army. Wanting to please our Commander-in-Chief. No matter who we voted for, or against, as a veteran of God’s army, we are now to pray for our elected leaders that their leadership will meet God’s will for America, and not entangle us, keeping us from our Christian duty and faith.

In the military, the longer a soldier serves, the more experience and wisdom that veteran soldier possesses, and the more responsibilities can be given. And the more others, coming up through the ranks, can look to them as examples, for guidance, and for training. Like Paul was for Timothy.