I Am a Soldier
"Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
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."
II Timothy 2:3-4
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."
II Timothy 2:3-4
I am a soldier… In the army of God! The Lord Jesus Christ is my Captain. The Holy Bible is my code of conduct. Faith, prayer and the Word are my weapons of warfare. I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity and tested by fire.
I am a volunteer… I am enlisted for eternity! I will either retire at the rapture or die on the battlefield. I will not get out, sell out, be talked out or be pushed out. I will be faithful, reliable, capable and dependable. I will teach children, work with the youth, help others or just sit and learn. My God can use me, because I am here.
I am not a baby… I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up, pumped up, picked up or pepped up. I am a soldier. No one has to call me, remind me, write me, visit me, entice me or lure me. I am a soldier.
I am not a wimp… I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name and building His Kingdom. No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards or give me hand-outs. I do not need to be cuddled, cradled, cared for or catered to. I am committed.
I will not be stopped… My feelings will not be hurt enough to turn me aside. I will not be discouraged enough to turn around. I cannot lose enough to cause me to quit. Devils cannot defeat me, people will not disillusion me, weather cannot weary me, sickness will not stop me and governments cannot silence me. I am a soldier. Even death cannot destroy me.
I will win… I started with nothing, and if I end with nothing, I will still win. My God will supply all my needs. I am more than a conqueror, and I will always triumph. I can do all things through Christ. I am a soldier in God’s army. I am marching on in victory, marching and heaven bound. Here I stand….will you stand with me?
- Created on .
Our Christian walk overlaps the worldly walk in so many areas—some without conflict and others with much conflict. So much so, that there is constant need for serious examination of our values and loyalties to ensure that we have an eye that is single toward Heaven and an emphasis on matters which are Spiritual. Since the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, our country has been riding a crest of patriotism. As I drove through our home town today, July 31, 2004, banners and flags were everywhere, heralding the return of local men and women who served in Iraq. Many store windows were painted in red, white and blue with endearing words of “Thanks”, “We Love You”, and “Welcome Home”. Yellow ribbons and balloons and “ribbon” car decals spoke of patriotic pride and gratitude. Part of my heart was deeply touched by this hometown pride and nationalistic fervor. But something in my spirit was uneasy with those feelings. Brethren, it is so easy for Christians to be swept up in this national tide and carried away. We may certainly be thankful for their service, but I want to challenge us to consider whether it is permissible to be openly “patriotic.” Can we who profess to belong to the kingdom of God also be firmly rooted in this nation of men? When folks get around and talk, and “run the flag up the pole” as it were, should we be found giving patriotic opinions and joining in heated rhetoric? As citizens in the kingdom of God, we must be careful not to send a mixed signal or present a wrong testimony.