The Bible Doctrine Hour
presents
Assistant Pastor
Dave Cosimini

The Christian Soldier - Part 3

1JO 1:9 If we acknowledge our sins, He is faithful and righteous, with the result that He forgives us our sins and purifies us from all unrighteousness.

Now, in chapter 10, as we have noted, Solomon warns us about not playing the fool in verses 1-4!

And then in verses 5-7, Solomon reminds us of the fact that normally the people of the world who are promoted have been placed in that position by the Satan, the fool on the throne!

Now, this is a spiritual picture of the fact that as the god or the ruler of this world, Satan has placed foolish individuals in positions of authority so that he can try and control the entire world system!

This is how he fulfills REV 12:9  And the great dragon was thrown down, the serpent of old who is called the devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world;

He gives the impression that he's done tempting and then he turns right back on you and tempts you again!

So, we are told in ECC 10:8-11, not to fight with those in positions of authority or rulership but instead become more occupied with God's plan for our life!

This is why we are told in EPH 6:11  "Pick up and put on the full armor from God, so that you may be able to hold your ground against the strategies of the devil."

Or in EPH 6:13......"hold your ground in the day that evil attacks you"

EPH 6:14  "Hold your ground"

JAM 4:7 says "Submit therefore to God [execute the PPOG]. Resist the devil and he will flee from you."

Or as Peter said in 1PE 5:9  "But resist the devil by being firm in your doctrine"

Remember that 2TI 2:3-4 says  Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.

For example, we noted on Sunday evening that a soldier must give up his freedom to serve his country and therefore the Christian soldier is to give up his freedom to serve TLJC.

GAL 5:13 says  "For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through virtue-love serve one another."

1PE 2:16 says "Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God."

Secondly, a soldier must also leave all of his worldly affairs behind as he goes forward to serve his country.

And that's what Paul is referring to when he says in 2TI 2:4  No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.

Thirdly, the first thing that a soldier does is to go into training after he has enlisted in the military and the first thing that the Christian soldier needs is spiritual training through the intake of doctrine.
 
As believers we are to be are armed with the full armor of God according to EPH 6:10-20.

A soldier is also known by his discipline, his armor, and his weapons!
 
So the Christian soldier must be disciplined, have his armor on and know how to use his weapons!

The soldier is trained so much to do the same thing over and over and over again through repetition so that if he gets into a stressful situation and he cannot think immediately, he will automatically do what he has been trained to do under pressure!

This is security for you because, when you get under pressure, you will think the right thing, do the right thing, and apply the right doctrine because you have repeatedly learned to do the right thing under normal circumstances.

The difference between fear and courage is the ability to concentrate under pressure.

Soldiers are also clothe by the military they represent so the Christian soldier is said to be clothe in white which speaks of the righteousness of Christ.

In GAL 3:27  For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

So, as we continue these analogies, the next principle I would like to point out is the fact that a soldier is also told who to go to war with and he understands who his enemies are so the Christian soldier has his warfare appointed to him and his enemies are made known to him by the scriptures!

For example, we are told that the devil makes war against the Lamb and His followers, in REV 17:14 "These will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will overcome them, because He is Lord of lords and King of kings, and those who are with Him are the called and chosen and faithful."

The world is the enemy of the Christian soldier insofar as the things of the world, the pleasures or the profits of the world take the believer away from the plan of God.

A soldier is also supplied logistically for as he goes forward in training, discipline and warfare, so the Christian soldier is provided logistical grace for his spiritual walk and warfare.

This is why the apostle Paul said in 1CO 10:13  No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.

A soldier must also be an expert and well-skilled in his field so the Christian soldier ought to be well-skilled in all things necessary for his calling!

As the psalmist in PSA 119:60  I hastened and did not delay To keep Thy commands.

A soldier must also know his place and how to keep both rank and file so the Christian soldier must know his place and particular station, where he has been placed in the body of Christ by God the Holy Spirit.

1CO 12:18  says But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.