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IGHT the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses. (1 Timothy 6:12)
This devotion is not directed to the American Soldier, or those military soldiers of other freedom-loving nations, for they need no accolades from me. I will direct my thoughts to the qualities intrinsic to the Christian soldier who courageously stands on truth even if he stands alone. He or she realizes that standing with God is always the right decision and not subject to debate or compromise.
In committing one’s life to Christ, one must understand this is not a lightly taken commission, but one that will make demands of self-sacrifice and self-denial much like the military soldier of the line. Such a commitment may not lead to the necessity of physically dying for the faith, but the commitment to do so if necessary is just as real as that of the line soldier. In a spiritual sense, every Christian dies to self and lives for Christ. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)
Just as in the military service, the Christian soldier (all Christians are soldiers in the Army of God) must abandon selfish desires and turn his labors to the defense of moral virtues and the benefit of others. As the military soldier, the Christian soldier often must abandon the comforts of home, and often even family, to serve in places not convenient or pleasing. The upside of such sacrifice is the satisfaction and comfort of one’s duty to God and man faithfully performed. If we are the salt of the earth, though applied sparingly to the spiritual fare, the souls of others are lifted on the high tides of God’s love.
The element of courageous conviction is the mark of both a good military soldier as well as a Christian soldier. It is the love of Liberty that has compelled the American soldier to heights of courageous grandeur in our past battles, and it is the same love of Liberty in Christ – the very Author of Liberty – that compels the Christian missionary to leave hearth and home to go into the jungles and deserts of the world to proclaim the Gospel that makes all men and women free.
Another salient quality of the good soldier is sound discipline and a high regard for obedience to the Higher Authority which, to the Christian, is almighty God. It is God who has issued our marching orders as Christian soldiers – it is from Him that we have received our commissions to march to the front and engage the enemy of the soul of man. We must be obedient soldiers in executing our duties and responsibilities under God to press the battle forward to areas hostile to our faith. We march under the banner of love and not hate . . . his banner over me was love. Song of Solomon 2:4 We must look to the goal across the field of battle. It is designated by our Ensign that leads far ahead of his maneuver elements of the church in battle.
Loyalty to the nation and cause of country stands foremost in the distinction of the soldier, a veteran of many battles. So, is it a supreme characteristic that distinguishes the Christian soldier from the worldly Christian that typifies the rag-tag army of the modern church.
The soldier of Christ constantly guards his heart against treasonous, or heretical, issues that arise in the execution of his duties. Temptation is always before every Christian just as with every unbeliever. The difference is how we are firm to reject the inclinations to darkness in our search for light and truth.
Are we good and faithful soldiers of Christ? What have we sacrificed of our comfort and association in serving Christ? Have we stood up for righteousness even in times that may seem to be disadvantageous to us? Finally, have we remained faithful to our commission granted to us by the Lord Jesus Christ? 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (Matthew 28:19-20)
