A Soldier's Life

Know it or not, like it or not, you and I are in a war!
And we need to begin living as if it were the battle of our lives….
The life devoted to God is a soldier’s life. 
-Stu Weber

 
In two weeks, we will be leaving our homes and travelling across the country to launch Grace City Church in Las Vegas, Nevada. We have no illusions that this will be an easy endeavor. In many ways it will be a war, a spiritual war.

The reality is that all of us who are serious about following Jesus need to view our lives through the lens of spiritual warfare. The most often used analogy for Christians in the Bible is of soldiers. The words that are often used to describe the Christian life are war terms – fight, conquer, strive, battle, overcome, and victory. We are living in enemy territory when we live in the world. The New Testament is a book stuffed with military imagery.

Paul referred to Christians as “soldiers” (Phil. 2:25; Philemon 1:2; 2 Tim. 2:3-4). Christians are said to “engage in warfare” (1 Tim. 1:18; 6:12; 2 Cor. 10:3-5). Christians are told to wear spiritual “armor” (Ephesians 6:10, 11, 13-17; Romans 13:12). Weapons of warfare are to be welded by Christians (2 Cor. 10:3-5, see also Rom. 6:13; 13:12; 2 Cor.6:7; 1 Tim. 1:18). Paul referred to his own ministry in military terms (2 Tim. 4:7). The Christian life is called a military conflict or struggle (Eph. 6:12; Col. 1:29; 2:1; Heb 12:4; Jude 1:3).  

Paul rejoiced that through the military power of the cross and resurrection, Jesus “disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it” (Col. 2:15 ESV) and that He “captured the enemy and seized the booty” (Ephesians 4:8 Message).
Christian leaders and authors also make it plain that the normal Christian life is a soldier’s life.
 
There is no neutral ground in the universe; every square inch, every split second is claimed by God and counterclaimed by Satan. C.S. Lewis
 
We are locked in a battle. This is not a friendly, gentleman’s discussion. It is a life and death conflict between the spiritual hosts of wickedness and those who claim the name of Christ. Francis A. Schaeffer
 
The faithful Christian life is a battle; it is warfare on a grand scale. John MacArthur
 
Every Christian who wants to make a difference for Christ can count on living in the crosshairs of the enemy. Stu Weber
 
John White warns us that,“Whatever you were before you were a Christian…you are now a sworn foe of the legions of hell. Have no delusions about their reality or their hostility…” Yet, in the same breathe he encourages us when he concludes. “…but do not fear them. The God inside you terrifies them.”

Please Pray for Grace City Church

• Ask God to protect us from the evil one (John 17:15)
• Ask God to use our church to kick in the gates of hell and rescue captives out of dungeons of darkness (Matthew 16:18). 
• Ask God to make us aware of demonic strategies (Ephesians 6:11) 

About these ads