With the 4th of July approaching I know we are all preparing to celebrate the United States as an independent nation. This was a time when soldiers made significant sacrifices to secure our freedom, and still today many men and women give their lives to protect our freedoms. Soldiers have a dedication to their country prioritizing it above their own lives. They have a sense of duty,selfless service, responsibility to values, honor, bravery, courage, perseverance, suffering, and etc. The life of a soldier can actually be compared to the life a christian should live.

As christians we are in the army of Christ. We are to live our lives in obedience and discipline to the Father, our commanding officer. We have to continually seek and follow His guidance. He leads us by faith and through prayer and reading His word on a daily basis. We must prioritize our committment to set aside time to hear from God. This will empower us to face whatever battles may come our way. It also will give us the wisdom we need to make decisions and to lead others to Jesus.

“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8

 

As soldiers for Christ we have a duty to selfless service and a responsibility to spread the gospel. We are to put others and their well-being before our own. Our lives should be full of humility and love for others. We should live following the example of Christ, with the help of the Holy Spirit, never for personal gain or recognition. This can be giving our time to serve in our church, community, or even workplace without expecting recognition. We have to have pure hearts that truly desire to please God without it being an obligation. We may feel unappreciated at times but we can rest assured that we are pleasing the Father!

“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” John 13:15

As soldiers for Christ we will experience times of suffering which leads to perseverance. We have to stay focused on our goal which is to live fully for God. Our suffering will always have a purpose usually in the sense that we experience growth that will deepen our faith. It also gives us the ability to be a help for our fellow brothers and sisters when they suffer.  This can take a lot of bravery and courage just as it does a soldier in a battle. As christians we have to fight battles daily. Satan is constantly standing against us to try and defeat us. He knows what triggers us. He knows how to cause us to doubt. BUT God is greater than the enemy, He gives us the strength to fight the devil and our fleshly desires. We just have to stay focused and always look to the Lord.

“Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 2:3

As christians in God’s army we get to serve the highest commanding officer of all!! He is the King of Kings and the Lord of Lords!! We know He has already won the battle. Jesus Christ has defeated death through His sacrifice on the cross, and His resurrection. We will face many battles in this life but God has given us His word as a weapon against the enemy. When we read the word of God, pray, seek His will, and keep our faith, we win the battle!!!

“But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57