God’s Army–Part 1

  There are several places in God’s Word where we are encouraged to be like soldier, to fight a good fight, etc.  This warrior-like metaphor raises some key points that we need to grasp so that we can be who God designed us to be.  Over the next few posts, I’m going to talk about 6 characteristics of a good soldier in God’s Army.

 

#1.  Endurance–Our life will be filled with various battles to fight.  Just because we win one battle, doesn’t mean that there isn’t another ambush by the enemy waiting just over the other side of this mountain top.  You may not win every battle, but our goal is to win the war. 

 

2 Timothy 2:3 tells us to “endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ”.  We know the attack is coming.  The question is, will you quickly surrender to the accusations, the gossip, the temptation?  Or will you endure this hardship with the heart that screams, “IT IS A JOY TO PARTAKE IN THE SUFFERINGS OF MY LORD!” 

 

To truly endure, you must be willing to answer this question:  “Is what I’m fighting for worth it?”  This takes us to our next quality of a soldier in God’s Army…

 

#2 Focus–In this war, it is easy to lose sight of what it is that we are fighting for.  Nothing other than fighting for the King of Kings is worth all of the opposition you will face as a Christian.  We’re fighting for a King that notices every time you do something in his name for another person.  He keeps record of every time you could have sinned and chose not to sin.  He is a God that rewards greatly in the end!

 

However, if we lose sight of the ends, our means will soon begin to deteriorate.  Soon, we will begin to cower under the strong fire of the enemy.  We’ll begin living life less like warriors and more like wimps.  If we lose our focus, it won’t be long before going AWOL appears very enticing. 

 

2 Timothy 2:4 says “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.”

 

It is every man’s desire to fight for a cause that is greater than himself.  God is literally trying to save the world and He has invited you to be a part of it!  It’s the greatest adventure of all time!!!  If you can endure the hardships and stay focused on the vision of winning the world for Christ, you will be well on your way to being a valuable solider in God’s Army.

 

Keep watching for more posts on this topic.