Do you remember the song, Onward, Christian Soldiers? I used to play a level 1 version of that song on the piano. The third verse is:
Like a mighty army moves the church of God;
brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod.
We are not divided, all one body we,
one in hope and doctrine, one in charity.
The refrain:
Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
with the cross of Jesus going on before.
As a Christian soldier, how are you preparing for your spiritual battles?
In the military our soldiers train continually so they will be prepared for battle. They study, they practice with the equipment they are issued, and they are ready to fight on short notice. Often the training is intense because they want to be the best they can be.
We have a spiritual battle going on around us. Ephesians 6 tells us to put on the whole armor of God – our loins girt about with truth, the breastplate of righteousness, feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. It also says to pray.
Because of my writing and speaking, I was asked a while back if I ever studied theology. The truth is that in college, I took Old Testament twice, and New Testament once. I also took a course called Western Religion Since the Reformation. My memory is quite bad. I remember very little from those courses.
If you remember, nothing in that list of Christian armor requires you to take courses in theology.
What I know of scripture comes from attending Sunday School and church services where the Word of God was taught and preached, from Bible studies I did with friends, from my personal study time, and from whatever God shows me in scripture, and in prayer. It is more than that though. I have a goal of applying to my life something from every message.
What you know of scripture, what you will remember, are the verses that God has used to teach you something. It will be what you apply to your life.
Wouldn’t it be nice to have a verse of scripture for every occasion? Can you lead someone to the Lord? Can you give an answer for what you believe?
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
1 Peter 3:15
Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4
I want to encourage you today that you do not need a course in theology to be prepared for your spiritual battles. All you need to do is spend time in the Word of God, and in prayer, and apply what you learn to your life.
LIFE APPLICATION
Key Focal Verse:
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
Revelation 1:8
Today’s challenge is to be ready to give an answer for the hope that you have. Continually prepare yourself for your spiritual battles by staying in the Word of God as you seek for God’s answers and apply them to your life.