Being A Christian Warrior

Being A Christian Warrior

Normally, when you think of the word soldier, you think of someone who is fighting for their country, but being a Christian soldier is a much higher calling because in fighting for the cause of Christ you are fighting to add souls to the heavenly country which will last forever.  The life here on earth is only temporary.  We have to keep eternity in view and that is much more important than fighting for your country.  

Hebrews 11:6: But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.

II Timothy 2:10: Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sake, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus.

The elect means a saved person, so a soldier of Christ will endure all the hardships of the battle in order to get more people saved so they can go to the heavenly country to spend eternity there.  

A good soldier fights in battles, but thankfully we are on the winning side and we will be victorious, just like when David defeated Goliath with just five small stones and a sling.  He won because God was on his side.  

I Samuel 17:45-47: Then said David to the Philistine, Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the  God of the armies of Israel, whom thou has defied.

46: This day will the LORD deliver thee into mine hand; and I will smite thee, and take thine head from thee; and I will give the carcases of the host of the Philistines this day unto the fowls of the air, and to the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

47: And all this assembly shall know that the LORD saveth not with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’S, and he will give you into our hands.

A good soldier needs to put on his armor.  Armor is special clothing that a soldier wears to protect his body in the fight.  So the bible tells us to put on the whole armour of God to protect us from all the wickedness in the world, for we are actually fighting against the devil who wants to damn as many souls to hell as he can. 

Ephesians 6:10: Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 

11:  Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

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.

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:

A good soldier marches forward and onward to the battle; he is not a coward, especially knowing that there is going to be a great reward in the end and that he will win the battle for the Lord and gain the prize. Philippians 3:14: I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

In being a warrior for Christ, you must not be tied to the things of this life on earth, such as temporary riches or fame, but you must dedicate your life to laying up treasures in heaven instead.  II Timothy 24: No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who has chosen him to be a soldier.

Being dedicated to Christ also means going through hardships and trials, but it will be worth it all when we see Christ face to face someday, and hear him say “well done thou good and faithful servant.”  

Matthew 25:21: His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou has been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.

A soldier for Jesus must be tough because it is not a bed of roses, but oh so worth it and the reward is great, with great joy in this life and even more joy when we get to heaven.  Jesus did so much for us and now all he asks is that we get on his side and live for him and bear his burden for a lost and dying world.

II Timothy 2:3: Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

Being a soldier is also being a workman by studying God’s word.  Just like an earthly soldier trains and works out, a soldier for Christ trains by studying God’s Word, since God’s word is the sword of the spirit. Ephesians 6:17: And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

II Timothy 2:15: Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Apostle Paul was a dedicated servant to Christ ever since he got saved until the end of his life, and when he knew his life on earth was almost done and that he was going to heaven soon, he said the following:

II Timothy 4:6: For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.  The departure means he was leaving this world and going to heaven.

7: I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.

What a great joy and blessing it will be to come to the end of our earthly life and be able to say, like apostle Paul, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course.”

I Timothy 6:12: Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto, thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Let’s keep pressing on and serving Jesus with all our hearts until we finish our course and see him face to face.