"For from the top of the rocks I see him, and from the hills I behold him. . ." Numbers 23:9

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THE MOUNTAIN MESSENGER

Feb./March 2006
Volume 3..........................Number 2
Crum, West Virginia

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"SOLDIERS OF CHRIST ARISE!!! AND PUT YOUR ARMOUR ON!!!"

By James E. Farley

There are some very meaningful figures used in the Scriptures to describe our life as a Christian. For instance, the Christian life is likened unto running a race, and to boxing in the Olympic games. (Hebrews 12:1-2; I Corinthians 9:24-27; 2 Timothy 2:5).

Christianity is compared to the life of a farmer. (2 Timothy 2:6; James 5:7-8; Luke 8:5 ff; I Corinthians 3:5-9).

The Christian is also likened to a soldier, and Christianity to warfare. (2 Corinthians 10:3-6; Ephesians 6:10-18; I Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 2:3-4; 2 Timothy 4:6-8; Jude 3).

I spent nearly seven years in the United States Army, and I learned something about warfare. In warfare it is important to know three fundamental things: (1) The enemy, (2) The cause for which one fights, and (3) The equipment and weapons that one is issued, and how to use these.

When General George S. Patton, Jr. defeated the Nazi Field Marshall Erwin Rommel in North Africa, Patton attributed his victory over the German tanks to the fact that he had read Rommel’s book on tank warfare. He knew his enemy, and he knew what Rommel’s forces would likely do before they did it! We must know the devil and his cohorts that well!

Our enemy in this spiritual warfare in which we are engaged is indeed the devil. (I Peter 5:8). He exists . . . he is diligent . . . he is powerful . . . and he has an agenda! He uses deception as his main tool. He is a liar and the father of lies! (John 8:44; Ephesians 6:11; 2 Corinthians 11:1-3, 13-15) We MUST know his devices lest he gain the advantage over us. (2 Corinthians 2:11). His ministers can appear as "ministers of righteousness." (2 Corinthians 11:15). They are liars! They are not righteous at all, but enemies of the cross. (Philippians 3:18). We are to beware of them . . . try them and put them to the test to see just who and what they are. This is a commandment not a suggestion from our Lord. (Matthew 7:15-20; I John 4:1). The standard we are to use for this trial . . . this test . . . this judgment is the doctrine of Christ. (2 John 9-11). WE ARE AT WAR BELOVED!!! Keep that in mind. The devil, and his ministers are wily and smooth. They will deceive. We are to mark these and avoid them. (Romans 16:17). You see, these can "by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple." (Romans 16:18). So . . . BEWARE!!!

We must also know well the Cause for which we fight! Our cause is a "good fight of faith" and we fight to "lay hold on eternal life." (I Timothy 6:12). We want to save ourselves and those who hear us. (Acts 2:40; I Timothy 4:16). Our King and Commander, Jesus the Christ, has given us a commission to take the gospel to all the world and preach it. (Matthew 28:19-10; Mark 16:15-16). The gospel . . . the preaching of the cross of Christ . . . is the real power that we have in this conflict. (Romans 1:16-17; I Corinthians 1:18-25). Our task and goal is to instill God’s Values into the hearts and minds of those in the world. Again, ours is not a carnal nor physical warfare. Our weapons are not physical ones . . . "but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ . . . " (2 Corinthians 10:3-6; Compare Ephesians 6:12). When we march through the world as we should, wielding the "sword of the Spirit" in the way it should be handled (2 Timothy 2:15), the world will think their world is being turned up-side down. What we are actually doing is turning their already up-side down world right-side up! (Compare Acts 17:6). Yes, we need to know our Cause . . . We need to know what the church of Christ is, and know the great price that was paid to bring it about. (Acts 20:28; Ephesians 5:23-25).

We must know our equipment too. We need to know that God has "issued" certain things we are to use as good soldiers of Christ. When we use what we have from God correctly, we will be "STRONG IN THE LORD, AND IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT" (Ephesians 6:10). Let us now notice the things God has "issued" for us to use in this warfare we are to be engaged in . . . Notice that twice in Ephesians chapter six Paul instructs us to put on "the whole armor of God" (Ephesians 6:11, 13). Putting on a part of God’s armor just will not suffice. We must put it all on!

The loins must be girded with Truth --- Ephesians 6:14. The "girdle" is the belt which keeps all the other parts of our battle dress in its proper place. The Truth is in God’s Book, the Bible . . . for it is "the word of truth, the

gospel of your salvation." (Ephesians 1:13; Compare John 8:31-32; John 17:17). Paul calls it . . . "the word of truth of the gospel . . . " in Colossians 1:5. This Truth must be handled in a proper way (2 Timothy 2:15). From the beginning of our battle dress, to the end of it, the emphasis is upon the Word of Truth.

The breastplate of righteousness must be worn. (Ephesians 6:14). The first-century breastplate was designed to be worn over the chest and abdomen to protect the body’s vital organs. Today’s modern soldier wears a "flack jacket" for the same purpose. Righteousness is something God places a great deal of emphasis upon. (Proverbs 14:34; Matthew 5:6, 20; 6:33). Righteousness is uprightness of life . . . right living which comes from adhering to God’s commandments in His Word. (Psalm 119:172; Acts 13:10; Acts 10:34-35; I John 3:7). God’s right ways are revealed in the gospel . . . we are instructed in righteousness through the verbally inspired Word . . . God’s amazing grace teaches us how to live righteously . . . (Romans 1:16-17; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Titus 2:11-12; James 1:21-25). Sadly, some are ignorant of God’s righteousness, and are going about to establish their own righteousness . . . and have not submitted to the righteousness of God. (Romans 10:1-3).

Our feet are to be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. (Ephesians 6:15). Preparation means "to make ready" and it shows a "readiness of mind that comes from the gospel." (A.T. Robertson, Vol. VI, p. 551). The Christian must know the gospel of salvation (Ephesians 1:13), and he must be prepared to take it to the world in a militant way. (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16). "Onward Christian Soldiers . . . Marching As To War!!!"

The Christian soldier must take the shield of faith. (Ephesians 6:16). We want to overcome the world, right? Then you MUST have faith. (I John 5:4). Some abandoned their faith and became shipwrecked! (Compare I Timothy 1:18-20). The shield of faith enables us to withstand the "fiery darts" of the devil. These come in various forms . . . when we are tempted . . . when we are ridiculed and lied about . . . in the form of peer pressure among our young . . . when we become depressed and discouraged . . . We need more and more faith as we battle for our Lord! And, faith comes by hearing the Word of God. (Romans 10:17). The Bible is right!

A very vital part of our battle gear is our helmet . . . the helmet of salvation. (Ephesians 6:17). Paul describes it to the Thessalonians as "the hope of salvation" (I Thessalonians 5:8). Christian "hope" is not guess-work . . . It is desire coupled together with full expectation!!! Titus 1:2 tells us that God has promised eternal life, and HE CANNOT LIE! That is how assured we are to be! This hope serves as an anchor for our souls . . . and it is both sure and steadfast. (Hebrews 5:19). This kind of hope can cause us to say what Paul said in 2 Timothy 4:6-8. The Christian puts on this helmet by believing God’s promise (Titus 1:2; I John 2:25), and faithfully living for God. (I Timothy 6:12).

Furthermore, we are to take an offensive weapon as well . . . the sword of the spirit which is the Word of God! (Ephesians 6:17). Alexander Campbell once wrote that the Christian should unsheathe the sword of the Spirit and throw the sheathe away. There is never a need to put the sword away once it is out. The Christian is helpless if he depends upon his emotions . . . his feelings . . . his heart . . . (Read Proverbs 14:12; Proverbs 28:25-26). The Word of God is identified with a "sharp, two-edged sword" (Hebrews 4:12). Brother Marshall Keeble once commented on this and said, "It cuts a comin’ and a gwain." The Bible is right!

The Christian soldier, in full battle dress makes a very powerful image indeed. He needs to continue in close contact with his commander through prayer and study (Ephesians 6:18; John 8:31-32). He is indeed strong in the Lord and in the power of HIS MIGHT. Let us all resolve to meet the challenge before us to be GOOD SOLDIERS OF CHRIST! Let us develop within our hearts and minds a militant attitude in taking the gospel to a lost and dying world . . . a world that too often seems controlled by our adversary, the devil.

Let us continue to raise our voices in song with "SOLDIERS OF CHRIST ARISE . . . " "ONWARD, CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS, MARCHING AS TO WAR . . . " "A MIGHTY FORTRESS IS OUR GOD . . . " etc., etc., etc.

CORRECTION . . . In the January issue of The Mountain Messenger, I referred to I Kings 13 when the old prophet lied to the younger one and caused him to disobey God. I said there, "As a result of the first prophet believing the lie and responding in a false way, disobeying God, a lion killed and devoured him!" Well, I was wrong. The young prophet was indeed killed by the lion, but his body was NOT DEVOURED . . . It laid in the way with the donkey and the lion there with it. Read I Kings 13:24-25.

I want to thank my childhood Bible teacher, brother Ray Dolin, for contacting me and correcting me. He’s still teaching me after all these years! Thanks Ray for your help!!!

James E. Farley -To Contact Jim by email, click here