A soldier defends the territory assigned to him to protect. He does so by pre-emptive strike or in defense based on the weapons he can marshal and how effective they are, and the strategy he hopes to deploy. A soldier must always be alert to his surroundings. He must be battle ready knowing that the enemy will strike without warning but surprises. The enemy’s strategy has always been what Jesus described in John 10: 10, the thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy.
The centurion said to Jesus in Luke 7: 8, for I also am a man set under authority, with soldiers under me; and I say to one ‘Go’ and he goes, and to another, ‘Come’, and he comes, and to my slave, ‘Do this’, and the slave does it,”. In summary, a soldier’s foremost qualities are discipline and obedience. Commands must strictly be obeyed even if the soldier disagrees. The commander’s instructions are given in order to save his soldiers, other lives and property.
Soldiers of God must therefore take instructions from none other but Jesus who is the captain of heaven. Jesus said in Matthew 26: 53, do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? Soldiers of Christ on earth must be equally ready and on call always. We need to know some of the other qualities of a good soldier as the Lord directs.
A soldier must be faithful
A soldier must be faithful to his commander. Revelation 2: 10 says do not fear what you are about to suffer. Beware, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have affliction. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life. In perplexing times, we give up and sometimes even forget our weapons of warfare. We count ourselves as soldiers yet hate to go into battle. Soldiers of Christ are never civilians but conscripted for battle with Christ.
A soldier must accomplish his mission
Paul said in 2 Timothy 4: 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Paul was a good soldier of Christ Jesus who was conscripted on his way to Damascus to persecute the Christians. As an astute soldier of the cross, he has outlined the qualities of a good soldier. He says a soldier must fight a good fight to justify a reward. He must finish the fight victoriously no matter the resistance and challenges. He must be faithful to him who has conscripted him in battle.
A good soldier looks to the reward only after he has discharged his due obligations. Jesus said in Matthew 5: 12; Luke 6: 23 rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Contrary to their calling, soldiers of today may question their command even in battle. This must not be so in the Lord’s army.
A soldier must share in Christ’s suffering
Paul said in 2 Timothy 2: 3-4, share in the suffering like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. The battle of the cross involves suffering which demands great sacrifices. We must not look back once we know our master’s calling. Jesus said in Luke 9: 62, no one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God. Our decision to go with Jesus must be final in truth.
We read from 1 Peter 4: 1, since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same intention (for whoever has suffered in the flesh has finished with sin), so as to live for the rest of your earthly life no longer by human desires but by the will of God. We must be ready to suffer for and with Jesus Christ.
A soldier must be battle ready
In order to be ready for war, a soldier must be well equipped at the forefront of battle. Such is our fate against the wiles of the enemy. Paul therefore said in Romans 13: 12, 14 let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armour of light. Instead put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. The armour we need in battle is the light of Christ Jesus.
Paul said further in Ephesians 6: 11, put on the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Soldiers of Christ must go into battle not with partial armour of God and the other part left to the devil. Partial armour of God is full armour of Satan. We fully let the devil into our lives when we are partial with God.
A soldier needs appropriate weapons
Every war requires appropriate types of weapons. In spiritual warfare, Paul identified some of the weapons and where they fit in Ephesians 6: 13-18: (summarized) as the truth, righteousness, whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the Spirit of God, prayer, intercession and supplication for all the saints worldwide. Our battle is the battle against God globally.
We are the soldiers of God as one people. Paul said in Galatians 3: 28, there is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.
Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 5: 8 but since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet of hope of salvation. Faith and love must always be included in a soldier’s weapons of warfare because they will not fail us in battle.
Christ Jesus is our commander in battle and his name is a credible weapon above all weapons combined.
Paul said in Ephesians 1: 21 God seated Jesus far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. Paul said in Philippians 2: 9 therefore God also exalted him and gave him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Are we true soldiers of Christ Jesus ready for battle? What are our tools for battle? Are we trained to use them? Let us not be victims of our own weapons. Are we disciplined with our command? Do we have and understand our mission?
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus, we have not been worthy soldiers of the cross. We have not focused on your command. We have been unfaithful and not diligent enough. We have rather pursued our selfish comfort. Please forgive us of all our iniquities. We now submit unto your command ready to obey your instructions for our mission. Give us the grace to be worthy soldiers of the cross. We pray in your holy name, Amen!!
