Good Soldier of Jesus Christ - Peace be upon “the Israel of God”

• Secular Peace of the World - One of man’s greatest desires is to live in peace, or the absence of war and strife. However, wars are the result of man’s sinful nature and will never be abolished on this sin-cursed earth because man’s heart is desperately wicked, according to Jeremiah 17: “The heart [unsaved] is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”. While speaking of the Great Tribulation period prior to His return, Jesus said in Matt 24, that man-made wars and natural catastrophes will continue to take men’s lives on this earth right up to the moment of Christ’s return on the Last Day. As “the Prince of Peace” many people think that Jesus came to bring some kind of political or secular peace among nations or groups of people. Jesus dispelled all doubts about His purpose for coming to this earth in Matt 10:34-36: “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man’s foes shall be they of his own household”. God in the flesh, Christ came to bring division and strife – even within families, the closest-knit social units in this world. Because Salvation is on individual basis, that would create unequally yoked families.

Jam 4:2 “[in Adamic nature] Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.”

Mat 24:6-7 “And ye shall hear of wars and rumours [reports] of wars: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.”

Matt 10:21-22 “And the brother shall deliver up the brother to death, and the father the child: and the children shall rise up against their parents, and cause them to be put to death. 22And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.”

• Mutual Warfare - Most people are unaware that a much more serious war than all the secular wars in the history of man put together is taking place right now. It is the spiritual war between God and rebellious mankind that started in the Garden of Eden as a result of Adam’s sin; and because man is at war with His Maker, he is also at war with other men. Our sinful Adamic nature, with which every human being is born, is described in Jam 4:2 “Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not”. They fail to consider the futility of their efforts, the magnitude of their sin, and the eternal, infinite, holy God with whom they have to deal face to face one day. God derides man’s foolish pride because man refuses to acknowledge the awesome Creator and Judge of this universe, who both hates and will judge sin and sinner alike: “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure” (Psa 2:1-5 ). Yet, in the midst of judgment there is a ray of hope, a glimmer of mercy for His people: “Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people [Elect of God]” (Deu 32:43).

1 John 2:16-17 “For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”

Rom 8:7 “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be.”

Rom 3:10,17-18 “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one...And the way of peace have they not known: There is no fear of God before their eyes.”

Deu 32:39-42 “See now that I, even I, am he, and there is no god with me: I kill, and I make alive; I wound, and I heal: neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand. For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever. If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment; I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me.”

• Only Christ the “Prince Of Peace” Can End the Warfare - Isa 40 beautifully describes the salvation that God accomplishes when He brings to an end to the warfare that previously existed between man and God: “Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem [typifying the elect, bride of Christ], and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned…” (Isa 40:2). Rom 10:15 announces that this peace is found in the Gospel of the Bible: “And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!”. What are the “glad tidings”? It is that which we see in Isa 40, “... warfare is accomplished… iniquity is pardoned”. How did this take place? We learn from Eph 2 that this is the work of the Lord Jesus and emphasizes the kind of peace that Christ came to bring. The reason Christ is named the “Prince of Peace” is because He came to bring eternal peace to fallen man, who by nature is dead in trespasses and sins, by ending the state of perpetual warfare that exists between God and all who are unsaved: “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isa 53:5). Rom 5 concludes that one is saved or justified by the faith of Christ, which produces “peace with God”: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” , the peace that results from salvation.

Isa 9:6 "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."

Luke 2:13-14 “And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

Eph 2:14-17 “For he [Lord Jesus] is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.”

Rom 5:1,9-10 “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: 9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”

• Peace Shall Be Upon Israel - The last statement in Psalm 125 says, “... but peace shall be upon Israel”. Since the whole Psalm is speaking about God’s salvation plan for His chosen people, we know that “Israel” here is referring to the eternal “Israel of God”, the body of true believers whom God saves. They are those who obtain “peace with God” as we read in Gal 6:15-16. The nation of Israel in the Old Testament was a type, or figure, of the Eternal Israel, as God explains in Rom 2:28-29: “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God”. May it be that God has circumcised your heart so that His peace shall be upon you forever. The Gospel of the Lord Jesus is for all people. It’s for those from all nations, kindred, people and tongues: “After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes [robe of Christ's Righteousness], and palms in their hands…” (Rev 7:9). God is no respecter of persons.

Psa 125:1-5 “A Song of degrees. They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. 2As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even for ever. 3For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity. 4Do good, O LORD, unto those that be good, and to them that are upright in their hearts [covered with Christ’s Righteousness]. 5As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.”

Gal 6:15-16 “For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. 16And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.”

Good Soldier of Jesus Christ - Suffers Happily for Christ’s Sake

• Endure Hardness, Suffer Affliction, be Patient - The Greek word translated as “endure hardness” (kakopatheo:G2553) in 2 Tim 2:3 “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ ...” is translated as “suffer trouble” in 2 Tim 2:9-12: “Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound...”. Paul is making the point that in spite of the troubles that he had experienced as a “messenger” of the True Gospel, the “message” of the Gospel can never be thwarted or hindered in any way at all. The desire to be accepted, or well-pleasing, to God is also seen in 2 Tim 2:4: “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier”. We also know that adversity is indeed part and parcel of the Christian life. Jam 5:10-11 speaks about the happy endurance of the prophets in “suffering affliction” and their “patience”. In Acts 9:16 God lays out to Ananias what Paul could expect throughout his future ministry: “For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake”. God used Paul as an outstanding example of “suffering” as he typifies His Master in this respect. When Paul penned Php 1:29 under divine inspiration he was speaking from personal experience: “For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;” So when you and I think that we’ve had a rough day, or week, or month, or year, consider the account of 2 Cor 11:23-28.

2 Tim 2:9-12 “Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him: If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:” 

Jam 5:10-11 “Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience. Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.” 

2 Cor 11:23-28 “Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I [Paul] am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeying often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.”

• Watch…Work… Make Full Proof - Besides the admonition to “endure afflictions”, there are three others: “…watch…work…make full proof [or “be fully persuaded”] of thy ministry”. These exhortations give evidence of the serious commitment to the task of sending forth the True Gospel that all Christians are to reflect. One of the purposes inherent in suffering is explained in 2 Cor 1:6, “And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation”. As we have been exposed to certain trials and tribulations, we will then be in a better position to empathize and counsel others we know that might have to face similar circumstances one day. The emphasis is on the ramifications of the Kingdom of God, which is spiritual in nature. The task of spreading the Gospel and growth in God’s grace is of utmost importance.

2 Tim 4:1-5 “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.”

• Pray…Sing Psalms - Jam 5:13 encourages the true child of God to abandon himself wholeheartedly to God’s tender care “Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms”. One of the greatest resources available to the Christian is prayer, or speaking to God. In other words, Christians are not to be anxious, or worried, about anything because God is in control of everything in their lives. Oh, may God compel us to recognize this comfort in the midst of our moments of anxiety and frustration and may God so conform us to His will as 1 Pet 5:10 affirms: “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you”. The believer’s life is to be a constant overflowing of thanksgiving for all of God’s daily benefits to him, even as we follow the example set by the Master Himself.

Jam 5:16b-18 “… The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man [born again believer, imputed with Christ's Righteousness] availeth much. Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.”

Gal 4:6-7 “Be careful [or anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

Good Soldier of Jesus Christ - Knows Without Faith It is Impossible to Please God

• A Good Soldier Understands that his Fight is Against his Own Sinful Body - The warfare that the Bible is focused upon is spiritual in nature. This is why we read in Eph 6:12, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood ...”. One of the characteristics of those who have received salvation will be a willingness to be faithful in declaring (as well as in obeying) God’s Word. Paul likens the Christian life to a race for which an athlete trains. Following the rules and employing self-control and discipline are key factors in athletic competition as well as in the “Christian race”, as Paul states, “… I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection”. There exists an internal struggle between the believer’s new, resurrected soul (in which he never sins) and his body (that still sins because it has not yet become saved), as Paul explains in Rom 7:18-19. Thus, the true Christian’s biggest obstacle is himself! The solution lies in the fact that God is at work in the believer’s life to “... will and to do of His good pleasure” so that obedience reigns, and the lusts of our bodies are dominated by the Word of God, as is seen in the phrase, “... and bring it into subjection”. The idea expressed here is to make the body a “servant” (or a slave). Those who have been redeemed are the servants of God, and they live to do His divine bidding, as Rom 6:12 affirms.

Eph 6:12 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places."

2 Cor 10:3-4 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds)”

Rom 7:18-19 “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.”

1 Cor 9:24-27 “Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.”

Rom 6:12 “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.”

• A Good Soldier Pleases Him who has Chosen him to be a Soldier - The Lord Jesus Christ’s zeal was to love God – as a man – with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength – which means to obey His commandments perfectly. He embodied the admonition in Ecc 12:13, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man”. Christ obeyed God’s will perfectly in thought, word, and deed for each of His people, as we see in John 8:29, “And he [God the Father] that sent me [Jesus Christ] is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him”. The same injunction is given to God’s elect, and underscores the true Christian’s desire to be obedient to the Word of God, as John 15:10 instructs. God’s commandments are the whole Bible. Actually, in presenting our bodies as living sacrifices (Rom 12:1) we follow the lead of the Lord Jesus Himself, as Eph 5:2 pinpoints. This involves the giving of ourselves – our time, talents, and finances – as a visible expression of our heartfelt gratitude to the Lord for His marvelous salvation and by being a good witness to our master. Please keep in mind that such a sacrifice pertains to one’s service to Christ out of love as a result of salvation, and in no way suggests that it is sufficient to take away sin. The only sacrifice for sin is that which is spoken of in Heb 10:12, “But this man [the Lord Jesus], after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;”

Eph 5:2 “And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.”

Rom 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.”

2 Tim 2:3-4 “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”

Php 3:10, 13-14 “That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death ... 13Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Luke 9:62 “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”

Luke 9:23 “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.”

Isa 43:10-13 “Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour. I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed, when there was no strange god among you: therefore ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, that I am God. Yea, before the day was I am he; and there is none that can deliver out of my hand: I will work, and who shall let it?”

2 Tim 4:7 “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:”

• A Good Soldier Understands Without Faith It is Impossible to Please God - How can a human being please God? This has been the main preoccupation with all religions and codes of ethics since the Garden of Eden. Man in his spiritual blindness persists in deluding himself by thinking he is able to please God by adhering to certain outward rituals or practices. God makes it very clear that apart from His salvation man can never please God as Heb 11:5-6 asserts “... without faith [salvation] it is impossible to please him”. In other words, we must be born again to please God. It is important to recognize that the phrases “in the flesh”, “after the flesh”, “under the law” and “carnally minded” refer to one who is unsaved and in the kingdom of Satan. On the other hand, the phrases “in the spirit”, “after the Spirit”, “under grace” and “spiritually minded” illustrate the nature of a true Christian – one who is saved has become a citizen of God’s kingdom. True believers have been raised from spiritual death to life and have an insatiable desire to be obedient to the Word of God, as John 15:10 expresses: “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love”. Every believer receives “faith” as a result of salvation, as a fruit of Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Gal 5:22-23), and are commanded to “walk by faith, not by sight” in 2 Cor 5:7. By God’s enabling, Moses’ and other believers mentioned in Heb 11, lives proved God’s faithfulness.

Eph 2:8-9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Heb 11:5-6 “By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”

Heb 11:24-27 “By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.”

Rom 8:5-10 “For they that are after the flesh [unsaved] do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit [born again] the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. ”

• A Good Soldier Understands Only God can Qualify him to Please God - Only a True Believer has been qualified to please God as God works in a true Christian life “... both to will and to do of His good pleasure”, according to Php 2:13, as opposed to Satan working in him when he was unsaved. God gives His Spirit to those whom He saves – that is, those whose sins have been forgiven and who have been clothed with the righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. These most blessed of all human beings have been justified by the sovereign will of the Triune God, as Rom 5:1 asserts, “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”. So, After salvation, we see that God is the One who is causing the “good works” in the Christian’s life, as Isa 26:12b declares, “... for thou also hast wrought all our works in us”. Heb 13:21 teaches the same idea, “Make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen”.

Rom 8:5-10 “For they that are after the flesh [unsaved] do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit [born again] the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God.. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.”

Eph 2:2, 4-5 “Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air [Satan], the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 4But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)”

Php 2:12-13 “... work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.13For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

Eph 2:10 “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

1 The 2:4 “But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts.”

1 The 4:1 “Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.”

2 Tim 2:3-4 “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.”

Good Soldier of Jesus Christ - Understands the Battle is not his but God's

• A Good Soldier Understands the Authority of God and His Word, The Bible - Both the Word of God and faith belong to the Lord Jesus Christ. Heb 12:2 states, “Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God”. Christ is the “author of faith” because the rigors of Hell he endured on the cross is what provides “faith unto salvation” for His elect. He bestows His saving faith – which is the only faith related to salvation – upon an individual as Eph 2:8-9 claims, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast”. We can better understand how Christ is the “finisher of faith” by comparing this verse with Php 1:6, “Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ”. One of the most marvelous truths of Scripture is the “incarnation” (“in the flesh” ) of the Word of God – the embodiment of the Lord Jesus Christ – as we read in John 1:1 and 14: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth”. Now, Matt 8:5-10 teaches the clear connection that exists between faith and the authority of the Word of God. The Centurion recognized the power and authority of Jesus and His Word and received commendation from the Lord, “Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel”. Rom 10:17 also asserts that “…faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”. The Greek word for “authority”(exousia:G1849) in Mat 8:9 is translated as both “power” and “authority” in the verses Matt 9:6, Luke 12:5 and Mark 1:22. The word “Lord” in 1 Cor 12:3, actually conveys the idea that Christ “has lordship over” or “exercises dominion over”. We must never forget that one can only be “under authority” of God when one has become saved – or “born from above” because it is a “matter of the heart”, not merely “lip service”.

Matt 9:6 “But that ye may know that the Son of man [Jesus Christ] hath power [authority(exousia:G1849)] on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house.”

Luke 12:5 “But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him [God], which after he hath killed hath power [authority (exousia:G1849)] to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.”

Mark 1:22 “And they were astonished at his doctrine: for he [Jesus Christ, Word in flesh] taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.”

Matt 8:5-10 “And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, And saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel.”

1 Cor 12:3 “Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost.”

• A Good Soldier Understands the Battle is the Lord’s - Exo 15:3 reveals an interesting description of one facet of God’s unlimited might of character, “The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name”. Old Testament exemplifies God’s limitless and incomparable power as a great warrior. Psa 24:8 also queries, “Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle”. God further declares the futility of human effort in Zec 4:6. A tribute to God’s sovereignty and power to orchestrate a victory without any fighting is seen in 2 Chr 20:5-15. We see that there was a great multitude that was coming against Judah. Jehoshaphat feared and the first thing that he did was he looked to the Lord for help. In 2 Chr 20:12, we go on to read that Jehoshaphat is trusting in the Lord that the Lord would deliver them: “O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee”. We see that God says in 2 Chr 20:15: “And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith JEHOVAH unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s”. In this great multitude that was coming against Judah, we will see that neither Jehoshaphat nor any of the people of Judah had to lift a hand. God says this in 2 Chr 20:17: “Ye shall not need to fight in this battle: set yourselves, stand ye still, and see the salvation of JEHOVAH with you, O Judah and Jerusalem: fear not, nor be dismayed; to morrow go out against them: for JEHOVAH will be with you”. And we see in verse 22 where God talks about how He delivered them: “And when they began to sing and to praise, JEHOVAH set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten”. We also witness the great deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt, in Exo 14,  symbolizing the nature of salvation – deliverance of His Elect from the kingdom of Satan –  by God’s power and grace alone. Moses, under divine inspiration, declares to the people, “… stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day”.

Zec 4:6 “Then he answered and spake unto me, saying, This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.”

Psa 33:16-17 “There is no king saved by the multitude of an host: a mighty man is not delivered by much strength. An horse is a vain thing for safety: neither shall he deliver any by his great strength.”

Psa 20:7 “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.”

Psa 44:3-7 “For they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them: but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them. Thou art my King, O God: command deliverances for Jacob [the elect]. Through thee will we push down our enemies: through thy name will we tread them under that rise up against us. For I will not trust in my bow, neither shall my sword save me. But thou hast saved us from our enemies, and hast put them to shame that hated us.”

2 Chr 20:12-15 “O our God, wilt thou not judge them? for we have no might against this great company [typifying Satan and his emissaries] that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon thee. And all Judah stood before the LORD, with their little ones, their wives, and their children.Then upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, came the Spirit of the LORD in the midst of the congregation; And he said, Hearken ye, all Judah, and ye inhabitants of Jerusalem, and thou king Jehoshaphat, Thus saith the LORD unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God’s.”

• Now is come Salvation, and Strength, and the Kingdom of our God, and the Power of his Christ - Isa 9:6 speaking of Lord Jesus Christ declares: “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace”. We have seen how Old Testament exemplifies God’s limitless and incomparable power as a great warrior. In the New Testament we see parallel passages as well. Rev 11:17 proclaims, “Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to thee thy great [megas :G3173] power [dunamis:G1411], and hast reigned”. The battles depicted in the Old Testament, though historically accurate, serve to teach spiritual truths. Although Christ set up both Divine and human governments for the benefit of mankind, He also maintains that there is an unseen spiritual battle that is being waged at all times. God is not concerned with physical fighting, as the citations in John 18:36, Mat 26:52 emphasize. We must bear in mind that God is concerned with a spiritual battle in the first instance. It is the battle between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan that God has already won at the Cross, according to Col 2:15, “And having spoiled principalities and powers, he [Lord Jesus Christ] made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it”. Jesus spoke of Satan’s impending downfall before going to the cross, in these verses: Luke 10:18 proclaims, “And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven”. John 12:31 affirms, “Now is the judgment of this world: now shall the prince of this world be cast out”. We see the battle between Christ and Satan for the souls of the elect depicted in Isa 49:25. The Lord Jesus Christ was victorious in the Atonement – the proof of which was His physical resurrection from the dead. This spiritual warfare – though defeated in principle at the Cross by the Lord Jesus – will actually only cease on Judgment Day, the last day of this earth’s existence. Satan was spiritually “bound” at the cross and during the New Testament “Church Age” (the thousand-year figure is a symbolic number that represents the completeness of the “Church Age”) and is now released for a “little season” to deceive the nations – but his doom is sealed. He will be judged on the Last Day and be cast into the eternal “lake of fire”, as we read in Rev 20:7-10. Now that we are very close to the return of Christ, we can see much more clearly that the Great Tribulation is a period of intense spiritual warfare between these two great kingdoms – the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan – and Satan’s principal weapon is deception, as we read about in Rev 20:7-8. Satan’s principal target is not against the people of the world in general – they are already part of his kingdom – but it is against the so-called people of God in the end-time, institutional churches and congregations that have “fallen” into apostasy. Rev 12:7-10 declares the Devil’s ultimate defeat (which in principle occurred at the Cross).

John 18:36 “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.”

Mat 26:52 “Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword [instead we should take the Sword of Spirit, which is the Word of God].”

Isa 49:25 “But thus saith the LORD, Even the captives [the elect] of the mighty [Satan] shall be taken away, and the prey [the elect] of the terrible [Satan] shall be delivered: for I [the LORD]  will contend with him [Satan] that contendeth with thee [Jesus Christ], and I will save thy children [the elect].”

Rev 12:7-10 “And there was war in heaven [spiritual battle which in principle occurred at the Cross]: Michael [Who is the Lord Jesus] and his angels [or messengers or ambassadors] fought against the dragon [Who is the Satan]; and the dragon fought and his angels [Satan and his emissaries or false prophets], And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.”

Rev 20:7-8 “And when the thousand years are expired, Satan shall be loosed out of his prison, 8And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea. 9And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city [Jerusalem from heaven]: and fire [God's Judgement] came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 10And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever”

• A Good Soldier puts on the Whole Armor of God - We have been discussing the believer’s role as a soldier of the Lord Jesus Christ – that is, one who has been conscripted into God’s spiritual army. In 1 Tim 6:12 Paul encourages Timothy to: “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses”. As God saves His people and they grow in grace, one thing they quickly recognize is that the Christian life is a battle. Wonderfully, we don’t fight alone, as 2 Chr 32:7-8 reminds us: “Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him: for there be more with us than with him: With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the LORD our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah”. Also in Eph 6 and throughout the Bible one learns that the only “real” strength that one can possess is that which God alone gives to each of His redeemed children. “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might” highlight the supremacy of God’s everlasting power in bestowing His salvation upon His elect when He saves them and sustains them by His grace. Eph 6:10-13 explains who the real enemy is in this spiritual warfare, and states that a believer is to “put on the whole armour of God that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil”. These verses also outlines the various parts of the Christian’s armor. 2 Cor 10:3-6 further adds that this spiritual battle is to be fought with spiritual weapons. The words “wiles”, “power”, “darkness”, and “wickedness” found in verses 11-12 highlights the Deception of the Devil. Eph 4:14 also highlights the deceptive teaching that is rampant in our day. Eph 6:10-18 highlights the objective for wearing the pieces of armor, which are defensive in nature – except for the Sword of the Spirit (or the Word of God) which is the only offensive weapon in the Christian’s armory. This weapon – the Truth as revealed in the Word of God, the Bible – along with all the rest of the armour of God can overcome Satan’s Deception.

2 Cor 10:3-6 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, 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; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.”

Eph 4:14 “That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;”

2 Cor 2:11 “Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”

Eph 6:10-18 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day [judgement day], and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;”

Good Soldier of Jesus Christ - is to be Single-Minded

• A Good Soldier is to be Single-Minded - In Luke 3:14: “And the soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do?”, John the Baptist’s response (under divine inspiration) to their question: “And he said unto them, Do violence to no man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages”, is enlightening, and reveals certain traits that soldiers could very easily succumb to: (1) Don’t intimidate or frighten others; (2) Don’t lie about others; and (3) Be content with your wages. In 1 Tim 1:18 Paul tells Timothy, “This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;”. The warfare that the Bible is focused upon is spiritual in nature.  In Eph 6:12, we read “For we wrestle not against flesh  and blood…”,  that there is an unseen spiritual battle that is being waged at all times. Our spiritual warfare is not “after the flesh” but “with our own flesh”: “From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?” (Jam 4:1). The factor that affects all of us who have been redeemed is the body of flesh that we inhabit, and that has not yet become saved. 1 Pet 2:11 admonishes “Dearly beloved, I beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;”

Eph 6:10-13 “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

2 Cor 10:3-6 “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, 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; And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.”


Col 3:1-5 “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory. Mortify [that is, put to death] therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry:”

• A Good Soldier do not Entangle Himself with the Affairs of this Life - 2 Tim 2:3-4 states “Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier”. What are the “affairs” of this life? Luke 12 admonishes believers not to seek “what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink” but rather seek “the kingdom of God” because “where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”. A believer's “world” should be focused on advancing the Kingdom of God, and not become “captivated” by “… the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life…”. In Luke 19:31, “And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come”, spiritually speaking, underscores the duty of all believers to sacrificially publish the Gospel as widely as possible until the Lord returns.

2 Pet 2:20 “For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.”

Luke 12:29-34 “And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. 30For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. 31But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you. 32Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. 33Sell that ye have, and give alms; provide yourselves bags which wax not old, a treasure in the heavens that faileth not, where no thief approacheth, neither moth corrupteth. 34For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”

• A Good Soldier Fights Sources of Entanglements with Perseverance - Paul in 2 Tim 4:10 states: “For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica…”. A very real and insidious problem of life on this sin-cursed earth is that we can become captivated by “… all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever”, according to 1 John 2:16-17. Luke 17:26-33 is a fitting commentary of our day, as we are in the period known as “Great Tribulation”. Jesus pointed out in Luke 16:13, “No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon”. A true Christian denies himself, takes up his cross daily and perseveres to the end by God’s grace: “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23). Could it be that God might so work in each of us that we might affirm along with the Apostle Paul the words of 2 Tim 4:7, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:”

Luke 17:26-33 “And as it was in the days of Noe, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of man. They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. In that day, he which shall be upon the housetop [proclaiming Gospel], and his stuff in the house, let him not come down to take it away: and he that is in the field [proclaiming the Gospel to the World], let him likewise not return back [stay focused and not look back]. Remember Lot’s wife. Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.”

Luke 9:62 “And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.”