“Chosen...to be a soldier.”
(2Tim.2:4)
We hear much today about using diplomacy to avoid war. But diplomatic efforts, when dealing with the world, the flesh, and the devil, are futile. It’s a war from beginning to end, “…and there is no discharge in that war.” A random reading of the writings of the old war-horse, Paul, confirms this. “Fight the good fight of faith...so fight I,” he tells a younger generation. Down to old age the warrior’s last words, before the axe fell, were“I have fought a good fight”
But this battle is a spiritual one. “…we do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal). ” Our fight is with “…spiritual wickedness in high places.” And so the elder exhorts the younger, “…war a good warfare.” He goes on to say, “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life.” Christian soldiers can’t fight when all wound-up in this world’s ball of yarn. This is not being “A good soldier of Jesus Christ.”
From all the above texts, one can deduct, Biblical Christianity has no place in its ranks for cowards. As Goliath came out daily to challenge God’s people, so our giants confront us day to day. The victors in this life are those who dare to face the devil’s dares, by boldly telling him as David did, “I come to thee in the name of the Lord of hosts.” Then, by faith, hurling at him one small, smooth, scriptural stone. As a line in Martin Luther’s song says:
“We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure,
For lo, his doom is sure;
One little word shall fell him.”
(Martin Luther)
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