Articles From Our Bulletins
The Three-Fronted War
Those recognizing the sovereignty of, and pledging allegiance to, the God of the Universe are sometimes biblically described in military terms, such as a “soldier,” “armor,” and “war/warfare.” In keeping with the analogy, they’re urged to take up a soldier’s mantra and methods. For instance:
- 2Timothy 2:3-4, “Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.”
- Ephesians 6:10, “Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil.”
- 2Corinthians 10:3-4, “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.
However, understand that this particular war is composed of at least three distinct battlefronts…
Personal- the Battle for Self. Each Christian soldier must first wage spiritual war for his own soul. Paul described this fight in Romans 7:13-24. Note a few excerpts from this text, “For that which I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate…. for the wishing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not. For the good the good that that I wish, I do not do; but I do practice the very evil that I do not wish.” Every Christian soldier feels this way at times. We feel as if we’re losing on this most-important front. But remember two critical things: 1) as long as you feel this way, you haven’t lost yet- you’re still fighting and haven’t surrendered; and, 2) you’re not alone- Jesus is fighting with you and for you, Romans 7:24-25! You also have battle buddies in your own local church company ready to step into the fray with you at a moment’s notice, cf. Galatians 6:1-2, if you’ll call for backup and let them know you’re in trouble and need help. So, arm yourself according to Ephesians 6:11-17, and then “…be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of His might,” Ephesians 6:10. Your soul is worth the fight!
Kingdom- the Battle for Church. Each Christian soldier must also wage spiritual war for the souls of his company- the local church of which he is a member. In attitude and activity he must “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; and give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord,” Romans 12:10-11. He does “nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind” he regards his fellow-soldiers “as more important than himself,” and doesn’t merely look out for his “own personal interests, but also for the interests of others,” Philippians 2:3-4. His kindred spirit and fellowship with his fellow soldiers leads him to answer the age-old question, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” with a resounding, “Yes, with every fiber of my being and all the strength I can muster because I love him!” Hear two passages regarding these things. “We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren,” 1John 3:16. And, “See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled; that there be no immoral or godless person like Esau, who sold his own birthright for a single meal,” Hebrews 12:15-16. The souls of your fellow-soldiers are worth the fight!
Dominion- the Battle for Souls. And finally, each Christian soldier must wage spiritual war for the souls of others. Beyond our own souls, and those of our fellow-soldiers, the souls of others- even those actively fighting for the opposition forces, are just as valuable. This is why the “blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords” said, “love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you,” cf. 1Timothy 6:15; Matthew 5:44. Assuredly, this is the most difficult of all battlefronts. It is one thing to wage spiritual warfare, even to the death, for our own or the souls of our fellow soldiers, but it is quite another to be willing to love enough fight and lay down our lives for the souls of those actively opposed to us! But isn’t this exactly the legacy let us by our Lord? To borrow from His words in Matthew 16:26, what will we give in exchange for the souls of others? Are we willing to love sufficiently to battle for their souls? True soldiers of the cross do just that because the souls of others are worth the fight!
So, fight “the good fight” for the souls of others, finish “the course” you began as soldier yourself, and keep “the faith” by helping your fellow-soldiers to final victory, cf. 2Timothy 4:7. It is a three-fronted battle, but through God’s mighty power you can and must win!
- Three_Fronted_War.pdf (92.05 kB)
