We Are At War
"You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that
he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier" (2 Timothy 2:3-4).
Most people who obey the gospel and become saints of God picture themselves
with the wings, flowing robes, and smiling all day long. They see themselves
as those who should be nice to everyone, and be a blessing to others. They believe
that as long as they are good, kind, benevolent,and study their bibles; God
will reward them and they will influence others to cause others to glorify God
(Matthew 5:16).
This is one reason that when the darts, arrows, missles, slings, and whatever
start coming their way, they lose their faith and succumb to the devil and his
ways. I hope you can see that while our side is to be calm, nice, generous,
and every other characteristic of goodness, the other side is wicked, evil,
mean, and willing to use any means necessary to defeat us. This appears one
sided, but remember that God is actually on our side to bring us to victory.
That does not mean that God will do all the fighting. No, we must be engaged
in this fight also. When the children of Israel were conquering the land of
Caanan, God was with them helping them, but they were doing the fighting. Their
only loss came as a result of sin in the camp when one of the soldiers kept
some of the spoils of Jericho (Joshua 6) Remember what Paul wrote: "For
though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons
of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely power for the destruction
of fortresses" 2 Corinthians 10:3-4.
God also gives us the protection of His armor that we read about in Ephesians
6:14-18. The purpose we have the armor is to defeat Satan and his angels.
"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles
of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual
hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor
of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all,
to stand" (Ephesians 6:10-13).
We are called upon to be faithful soldiers of Christ. Every Christian is called
into a spiritual battle. (Every Christian is not limited to the preacher or
the elders, but to everyone who names the name of Jesus as their Lord and King.
This battle is against the spiritual hosts of wickedness, against Satan and
his wicked hosts. The Lord has given us all things necessary to win, to be victors
in this spiritual war.
Christians, we have a daily battle against the forces of evil. It surrounds
us, and those on that side are scheming to see our weaknesses so that they can
eploit them and cause us harm. If we do not resist and remain quiet, they consider
that a victory. If we lose our faith and turn back to our old ways, it is considered
a victory. If we just shut up around them and stop talking about God or the
Bible, they consider that a victory. It seems that many appear to consider that
if they do not tell others that they are a Christian, it will be easier forthem.
For Paul wrote that "all who desire to live godly will suffer persecution"
(2 Timothy 3:12)
In your life, are you putting aside "the affairs of this life" in
order to please Him who enlisted you? The Lord is first. Your commitment to
him is greater than any other commitment. While those in our nation*s armed
forces have committed themselves to our nation*s service, that service is second
to service in the Lord*s army. As a soldier of Christ, are you serving him first
and faithfully? If not, change!
Look again at the words of Paul above. Are you well protected, spiritually?
Are you well practiced with the spiritual sword? As the soldier drills for perfection
in our nation*s army, so the soldier of Christ must constantly sharpen his or
her skills. The defensive equipment must be kept in good repair. Attention to
each piece of armor must be given lest the enemy finds a means of wounding us.
Are you set for the battle? Have you taken up the armor of God so that you may
win?
Fight the good fight of the faith (see 2 Timothy 4:7)! Victory in this war brings
eternal life. Fight, Christian soldier, fight!
By Carey Scott 10-4-2018
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