Many have served as soldiers in the Army or in another branch of the Armed Forces. Being a soldier is a great calling in life and we thank all who have done so. There is a place in the U.S. Army for fighters in the infantry, as well as those who feel they cannot kill. Those can serve as surgeons, medics, or chaplains. Do not neglect service, as there is a place for all. As Christians, we need to be soldiers in another Army. This is a spiritual army, unlike the physical U.S. Army. This spiritual army that Christians belong to is the Lord’s Army. All believers are called to serve in this army, though most never do, or they are undisciplined soldiers. (Psalm 144:1 Blessed be the LORD my strength, which teacheth my hands to war, and my fingers to fight:) God’s army, or the Heavenly Army as some call it, consists of not only believers, but holy angels who war against him in the spiritual battle against Satan and his angels. God even uses animals in his army, just as man has in our earthly armies. God says lightning is his arrows. (Psalm 144:6 Cast forth lightning, and scatter them: shoot out thine arrows, and destroy them.)
As earthly soldiers in the Army, one is expected to be disciplined, well trained, physically prepared, loyal, and obedient to orders without hesitation. These are things that make a great soldier and will lead to victory in battle when war comes and war will always come. These same character traits apply to believers in the Lord’s Army. Paul talked about some of this in II Timothy 2:3-4 and how believers need to be focusing on Jesus, rather than the things of this world. That is the only way a believer will be an effective soldier and will be able to win souls for Jesus and add to the army and weaken Satan’s army. (II Timothy 2:3-4 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.) In the earthly army, one is kept busy training and so forth, so that they do not get distracted with worldly things. As believers, Paul says the same thing in not being entangled with the affairs of this life. The things of the world belong to Satan. We are just passing through. We are to focus on winning souls for Jesus and one cannot do that if we focus on worldly affairs. As soldiers in the Lord’s army, we need to understand that we are involved in a different kind of battle than in the U.S. Army. In this battle, we cannot see the enemy. Sure, there are many wicked people out there, but ultimately they are just obeying orders from their superiors, just as we obey orders from Jesus. The real enemy we are battling is spiritual in nature. That enemy is Satan and his angels, as well as devils and other satanic creatures. (Ephesians 6:12 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.)
Just as earthly soldiers need to put on the proper equipment for battle, so must the believer. Here again we do not put on physical armor and other equipment as an earthly soldier, but rather spiritual armor. (Ephesians 6:13-18 13 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. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;) (I Thessalonians 5:8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.) (Isaiah 59:17 For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloke.) We see in Ephesians 6:13 that a soldier must put on the whole armour of God. One cannot be lazy and just put on part of it. If one does, they will not be fully protected or be ready for battle. An earthly soldier does not put on his combat boots, but leave his helmet and flak vest behind. He would be unprotected for battle. The Christian armor consists of truth girts about our loins. We are not to lead a life of lies as do the unbelievers. We are to spread the truth of Jesus, so that others will be saved. Tell others they are sinners in need of a Saviour and that only Jesus can be that Saviour. Jesus said he was the truth and the truth will make us free. One can only know true freedom when they have been saved from the curse of sin and death and from Satan. (John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.) (John 8:32 And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.) Earthly soldiers fight and die for one’s freedom, while Christian soldiers fight and die to win souls for Jesus. After girding our loins with the truth, a Christian soldier must put on the breastplate of righteousness. As Christian soldiers we represent Jesus and should shine forth righteousness. We do not promote wickedness as Satan’s army does. Just as truth will make us free, it is the righteousness we get from Jesus when we are saved that purifies us and washes away our sins. True righteousness only can come from God. (Romans 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;) A good Christian soldier will be walking with the Lord. We are to shod our feet with the gospel of peace. The true gospel is the peace we have in Jesus of his death, burial, and resurrection three days later. Satan’s gospel of works and hate will only lead to war and death. We are to carry a shield of faith in order to quench the fiery darts from Satan. A Christian soldier will never be effective without faith. It is faith that led to belief in Jesus in the first place and one must continue in the faith that Jesus will protect us and bring us to heaven at death. We must put on the helmet of salvation. It is that faith that we placed in Jesus that brought us the salvation. Without salvation, one can never join the Lord’s Army. Once one is truly saved, then they can no longer be lost. Satan may take one as a POW for awhile and cause a Christian soldier to back slide, but they can never be completely removed from Jesus. The final piece of gear, is the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. This is the King James Holy Bible. This is the only true word of God and the only one that will truly be effective in battle. One must carry that sword at all times. Either have a physical Holy Bible with you, on your phone, or in your memory. The final thing a good Christian soldier does is pray. This is communications with our general, the Lord Jesus Christ. We must talk with him in order to know the plan of attack. We need to pray and ask Jesus to make us prepared and willing soldiers for him, no matter the consequences. We cannot fear the enemy or death, as that will not lead to victory in battle or win the war. Remember, that we all volunteered to join the Lord’s Army. There are no draftees. Now let’s get busy and do what we signed up for.
The Christian soldier must be prepared, disciplined, and well trained, just as the earthly soldier must. We saw some of that preparation is putting on the whole armour of God. One also must prepare themselves for battle by reading the word of God every day. Study, learn scripture, and memorize it, so that it is in your heart and always ready for when you head into battle. (I Peter 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:) If one does not know scripture, then we will have no answer for when the enemy (the unsaved) are searching for the truth and we will not be able to lead them to the Lord. The sole purpose of the Christian soldier is to lead them to our general and get them to join our army. That general is Jesus and can only be done if we lead them to salvation. Jesus used scripture when Satan challenged him at the end of his forty days in the wilderness. Jesus will also use scripture at the end of the Battle of Armageddon when he defeats the antichrist and the false prophet. The sword, or word of God, is the only offensive weapon that a Christian soldier has. The rest are defensive. The well disciplined soldier will support and defend the King James Bible as the only true word of God. Satan has corrupted the rest and has made them less effective. It is like using a lesser or corrupted metal in a real sword that will break in battle. Part of the training and preparation for the Christian soldier is having an effective prayer life. The soldier must pray every day. Pray for forgiveness of sins, so that your prayer will be heard. Pray before reading the word of God and ask God the Holy Ghost to teach you and give you the understanding what is being read. Pray that God will bring you enemy that you can tell about Jesus and pray that you will succeed in battle by leading them to the Lord. Pray for chaos in Satan’s army and that many will defect to the Lord’s Army. Part of being prepared, is having tracts handy, such as Chick tracts, to pass out to lost souls, so that they may know the truth. Do not let the enemy intimidate you or stop you from your mission. Remember, Jesus who lives in you is greater than Satan who is in the world. (I John 4:4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.) Discipline is reading the word of God and praying every day, even when we do not want to. The earthly soldier has no say when he trains or not and neither does the Christian soldier. The Christian soldier just as the earthly soldier must not be lazy or try and cut corners to get done quicker. We must always fulfill our duties as soldiers. (II Timothy 2:15 Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.) Do not allow distractions in our lives that keep us from being the soldier Jesus wants us to be. Jesus is coming back soon and we need to fight for him while we can. Souls are at stake. Jesus told Martha not to be trouble by many things, but rather be like her sister Mary who stayed beside Jesus to hear him. Do not let the world distract you from your mission as a soldier. (Luke 10:38-42 38 ¶ Now it came to pass, as they went, that he entered into a certain village: and a certain woman named Martha received him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, which also sat at Jesus’ feet, and heard his word. 40 But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me. 41 And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things: 42 But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.)
The Christian soldier must be loyal at all times, not only to Jesus, but to those placed by Jesus over other soldiers. Just as there is a rank structure in the U.S. Army, so is there in the Lord’s Army. Angels have ranks among them and so does the people in his army. Jesus has placed pastors, missionaries, deacons, and teachers in charge in order to better train and teach the soldiers below them. Jesus used to use apostles and prophets, but they no longer exist in the modern army. (Hebrews 13:7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.) (Hebrews 13:17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you.) (Hebrews 13:24 Salute all them that have the rule over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you.) Salute here is not a military salute, but rather means greet. The Christian soldier must always be obedient at all times, not only to those above them in rank, but especially to our general and commander in chief, the Lord Jesus Christ. When the church leaders ask you to pray or read and study the word of God, then it needs to be done. When they ask for volunteers to help pass out tracts or tell others about Jesus, this is not the time to be a coward. Step up and be the soldier you can be and Jesus wants you to be. Jesus will give you the ability to do what he wants you to do. Jesus said if you love me then obey my commandments. (John 14:15 ¶ If ye love me, keep my commandments.) (John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.) (I John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.) A good Christian soldier loves Jesus and will obey his commands without hesitation or questioning the orders. An earthly soldier does not question orders, he just obeys them and how much more should the Christian soldier do likewise. Jesus said his commandments are not grievous meaning severe. He does not make them impossible to obey. Jesus said do not call me Lord, if you are not willing to do what I say. (Luke 6:46 ¶ And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?) A Christian soldier will never be of any use if he does not do what Jesus commands him to do. Remember that Jesus gave us orders (commandments), not suggestions, and they must be obeyed. They are to be thought over, just obeyed.
Unlike in the U.S. Army where soldiers retire, the Christian soldier is to stay in the fight until the Lord returns or calls them home. The enemy never ceases to fight and neither should we. (II Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:) God says there is a time for war and a time for peace. Right now, we are in a spiritual war for souls and so we must fight. Peace will come when Jesus returns. (Ecclesiastes 3:8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.) (Ecclesiastes 3:3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;) The Christian soldier must be ready to help heal their fellow soldiers who have been wounded in battle. Help pick them up when the time comes. Pray for them and get them back in the fight. Earthly soldiers suffer from combat fatigue or PTSD, while Christian soldiers backslide. Never leave your fellow soldier alone. Stay with them and lead them back to Jesus. Christian soldiers can also suffer from PTSD as they endure or see family endure persecution. Earthly soldiers can earn various combat medals and so can Christian soldiers. Christian soldiers will be rewarded with a mansion in heaven whose size will be based on the soldier’s faith, obedience, and works for Jesus. (John 14:2 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.) A well disciplined soldier will keep the faith. That is our main line of defense as we call upon Jesus. The Christian soldier can also be awarded various crowns, such as the crown of rejoicing for winning souls for Jesus (I Thessalonians 2:19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?) There is the crown of righteousness for looking for his soon coming appearance (II Timothy 4:8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.). These two crowns should be awarded to all Christian soldiers, as the model Christian soldier will be telling others about Jesus and will be looking for Jesus to come back soon and end this war. There is a crown of glory for shepherding fellow soldiers (I Peter 5:4 And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.). This is the crown for pastors. Jesus never said the life of the soldier would be easy. Many will be persecuted and some will pay the ultimate sacrifice and be killed in action. Never fray, as those martyred for Jesus will be awarded with heaven and a crown. Never run from the fight, just because things get tough. This is not our home. We are just passing through. (Revelation 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.) Jesus said we are to take up our cross daily. This means as a good soldier we must be willing to die every day to our sins and for the Lord and our fellow Christian soldiers. (Luke 9:23-24 23 ¶ And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it.) A good U.S. Army soldier is willing to die for God country, and their fellow soldier and we as Christian soldiers must be willing to do the same. We must be willing to die, so that the lost may live, just as Jesus did. On Memorial Day and Veterans Day, let us always remember those who have served and died for us, but let us also remember those who have served and died in the Lord’s Army as well. The final crown a Christian soldier can get is the incorruptible crown. This is for those who stay in the fight and are good obedient soldiers for the Lord. (I Corinthians 9:24-25 24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.) As Christian soldiers, never let us let our general down or forget who we serve or that we are soldiers in the Lord’s Army. Never let us forget our mission. Only victory is acceptable. I pray that Christian soldiers will be bold for you Lord and will lead others to you and that they will always serve you and love you, and stay in the fight and defeat the enemy, Satan. May all wish to become soldiers in the Lord’s Army. For those who are saved, now is the time to start acting like a soldier and for those who are not saved, now is the time to switch allegiances and join the winning army, the Lord’s Army. Call upon Jesus and get saved today.
