Many may have forgotten that song from the 40’s. There was a war going on in Europe and in the Pacific, and America was in the “thick” of it. Fellows who had been farmers, teachers and salesmen wore the uniform of our military forces. Many volunteered, but more were “drafted”, and some of those men would not come back from their assignments.
War has never been a pleasant or desirable thing in the minds of just men and women. However, that is just what every Christian is part of today (2 Corinthians 10:4). It is a war that must be won because those who lose will have eternity in which to consider their loss and the reason for that loss.
First century Christians were the first volunteers in the Lord’s army, and they were in the very thick of the battle. None of them carried guns, spears or “weapons of mass destruction”, but they did have a powerful weapon for defeating the enemy – the “sword of the Spirit, the word of God,” Ephesians 6:17. It is also our only weapon – and a mighty one because with it we are able to conquer our enemy, Satan.
Some might think God made a big mistake by depending upon a true “volunteer” army. America needed an army and they acquired it by the law of the land – they conscripted, drafted them by the thousands. God’s army is made up of all who have been sanctified by the word of God. If you have been “saved” you are in the army, even if you don’t want to be in an army.
No, God did not make a mistake, but it is true that many citizens of this world will be lost eternally if the soldiers of the Lord abandon their duties. In any army, slackers and “deserters” would be looking at jail time! Eternal punishment awaits slackers in the Lord’s army.
What does it mean to be in the Lord’s army? Do we have drills – do we have meetings – must we be truly dedicated to the “Captain” of our salvation, Hebrews 2:19, Jesus Christ? Will we have to confront the enemy, Satan? Or do we have those who are hired to do that for us? No, each soldier has to take his or her stand against the enemy, and Satan has weapons that are more deadly than any “bomb” invented by man. He has the powerful weapons of gold and silver, and he can use our desertion and lack of interest (see the words, “disorderly” or “unruly” in 1, 2 Thessalonians). No, being AWOL won’t satisfy the “Captain” of the Lord’s army.
What weapons does Satan’s army possess? Are they so powerful that we cannot overpower him? No, in fact the Bible says that God and His power are “greater…than he that is in the world,” 1 John 4:4. To win the battle demands our very best efforts, but our Captain is going to win the ultimate battle. Some of us may be casualties in that war, but not because our cause is inferior or our victory less important.
There need be NO casualties, for anyone who wants to do so can resist Satan’s devices (1 Corinthians 10:12-13, 2 Corinthians 2:11), and none will be his victim if we will remain faithful to Him who is our God, our Creator, our Lord.
Yes, Satan has weapons and they are formidable – sloth, greed, lust, idolatry, hatred, murder, fear, lies – there are many more, and any one of them can overpower any one of us who does not take full advantage of the “whole armor” of God, Ephesians 6:10-18. That “armor” is capable of defending us from the “power of Satan,” Acts 26:18. Yes, we are in a war, and with God’s blessings we can win that war!
What is in that “armour” that can negate the “power of Satan”? We might expect it to be burdensome, heavy, and hard to maintain if it is going to defend us in that war. But no, God’s armour is made up of qualities of the heart, not iron and steel. Note the words of Paul, again in Ephesians 6:13-18:
“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. 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.”
There is a very important point in discussing the armour of God – we must put it on for it to do us any good. It must be part of our life every single day. Some of us may find it too much trouble. Our friends may not understand. Some of them may not like the things we must do – and must not do to defeat Satan. But oppose and defeat him we CAN – and we MUST!
What is this “armour” of God?
- The “Truth” of the gospel
- “Breastplate of Righteousness”
- Feet shod with “Gospel of peace”
- The “shield of Faith”
- The “helmet of Salvation”
- The “sword of the Spirit”
Also included are “prayer,” and “watching with all perseverance and supplication”, Ephesians 6:13-18.
The battle has already begun, and if you are a Christian – “You’re in the army
now!"
