SOLDIERS OF THE LORD

By Jay Pearson

 

As soldiers of the Lord Jesus Christ our weapons of warfare are not carnal. This means they are not 9mm’s or knives or even verbal bashing of an opponent. These mentioned weapons are not only carnal, but inferior, and produce minimal results. You may hurt or kill someone with them, but you can’t win an eternal victory. Physical warfare is one thing. Spiritual warfare in quite different and can only be understood by people with the Spirit of God.

1 Corinthians 2:14:
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.

Again let me say as a soldier of the Lord Jesus Christ that our weapons of warfare are not carnal, but spiritual.

2 Corinthians 10:3-4:
For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:
4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;)

Whether you’re in school, on recess, or at your everyday job this truth is vital to your survival. A child’s situations are just as critical as an adult’s. The imprints of their situations are sometimes much deeper because their hearts are more tender and less calloused. This article is written for soldiers of the Lord: eight-year-olds, eighteen-year-olds, or 54-year-olds. Think of this and know the Lord; the power you have within you to operate is unsurpassed not only in this world, but in that which is to come.

Ephesians 1:19-21:
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
20 Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:

Supernatural power is not more powerful than God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ. Any degree of natural is worldly. God is almighty and spiritual. The spiritual realm is far above the natural, even supernatural.

In the beginning God spoke and it was so. In the present God speaks and it is so. In the future God will speak what he will speak, and it shall be so.

Isaiah 55:11:
So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.

Now I would like you to think of an army. Are all combat personnel? Do all stand on the front lines taking the hits or delivering the blows? My point is this; if you find it difficult to see yourself as a soldier because you think your job is less important, consider this. The head of the troops decides the individual’s MOS (method of service) and where he would best serve the whole, just as the Lord provides your ministry and leads you to it. Each member of an army is just as important as the other. The soldier on the front lines can’t be effective in battle worrying about his supplies left behind. You can’t continue to fight if you haven’t been supplied with food. Again my point, every man, woman, and child is truly important in the spiritual battle. Your adversary would have you think you’re inadequate and that someone else is taking care of it. He would inject you with fear and paralyze your ability to expose him and crush his assault.

1 Peter 5:8:
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

James 4:7:
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Everyone will share the same just reward: the front, middle, and rear lines. If you are obedient to the Lord, whether you swing sword, spoon, or plow, the Lord rewards your obedience. David divided the spoils with those that stayed behind.

1 Samuel 30:23-25:
Then said David, Ye shall not do so, my brethren, with that which the LORD hath given us, who hath preserved us, and delivered the company that came against us into our hand.
24 For who will hearken unto you in this matter? but as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike.
25 And it was so from that day forward, that he made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel unto this day.

Children, quit flexing your muscles and call upon the Lord.

1 Timothy 4:8:
For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.

Let’s keep it simple, you adults.

2 Timothy 2:4:
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.

Who do you think you are? The answer is extremely important to you and to God.

1 John 3:2:
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.

One soldier speaks to another. I love you in the Lord. More importantly, he loves you, and you are his soldier.

Ephesians 6:10-18:
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:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

 

 

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From the March 2000 issue of The Vine & Branches