Only 1 Soldier Matters

Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines….our Armed Forces. As a member of any branch of the Armed Forces, one wears a uniform distinctive to that branch of service. It’s the uniform which identifies the branch of service the serviceman is in. If dressed in civilian clothes, there is no indication which branch, if any, a person might be in. servicemen (soldiers) are identified by the uniform they wear.

Christians are identified by the uniforms they wear. Their uniform is called the Armor of God. That uniform, according to Paul, protects them from an enemy larger and more pervasive than any of the enemies of the aforementioned servicemen (soldiers)–Satan. And, more importantly, it prepares them for that time when they take their last breath and God brings them to their true final resting place, with Him in Heaven. Their uniform represents but one branch of service, as a soldier in the army of God.

The Armor of God

¹⁰ Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

Ephesians 6:10-18

I remember, as a child, singing Onward Christian Soldiers. We sang it with “oomph”, with gusto, with pride and with conviction, much like the military servicemen sing the songs of their branch of service today. It’s an old relic of a song, sadly not sung too much in these times.

Battles and wars come and go for our servicemen. For those in the Army of God, the battle never ends. Those in God’s Army are constantly in a war, not of their choosing. It’s called spiritual warfare. For those who fight to the end, their reward is not a white cross carefully aligned in a beautiful setting in a National Cemetery, but rather at the right hand of God.

Are you wearing your uniform proudly?

BE STRONG!