“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.” 2 Corinthians 10:4
Dear Ones:
There is an old hymn which begins: “The Son of God goes forth to war, a kingly crown to gain.” Do we, as the hymn continues, “…follow in His train?” (Follow in His steps) Prior to the conquering of Jericho, Joshua was confronted by “…a man over against him with his sword drawn in his hand.” (Joshua 5:13) This man would identify himself to Joshua: “…as the captain of the host of the Lord.” (v.14) Here we have what some theologians call a theophany, a revelation of Christ in human form. What do we see? We see a perfect soldier, one well equipped, one with a mission, and ready to do battle. But most of all, we see an individual who comes AS someone particular, declaring himself to be a Captain…or, commander, with all the power and authority associated with the title. His power and authority are derived from God, the sovereign and Almighty God.
In the New Testament, soon after His baptism, the Lord Jesus “goes forth to war.” We see Him being led by the Spirit into the wilderness, there to be tempted by the devil. Here is revealed the spiritual nature of this conflict. The central thrust of this conflict between the tempter and the Christ is the issue of adherence to the truth, the conformity to the revealed will of God. Not only do we see in this perfect Soldier, Christ, the heart of a soldier, but also His grasp and use of the spiritual weaponry afforded Him. The essential essence of the weapon that He unceasingly uses, is the truth in the word of God. Over and over He will respond to the tempter, “…It is written,” declaring that man is to live by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God. Why is this matter of the truth in the word of God so very important? It is because the truth is the exact representation of God, essential if He will be truly worshipped and served.
We come now to what we are called to BE, as soldiers. The first and foremost answer to this matter is what we see in the example of the Lord Jesus when He was baptized in the Jordan River. What did this signify? It was the tangible, and clear declaration, of Christ’s acceptance of the will of the Father. It would be on that day, in that place, that He would accept His work and mission. Secondly, when He came up out of the waters of baptism, the Spirit of God came upon Him in a visible fashion. Why? Did He not already have the Spirit of God? Yes, but this “anointing” of the Spirit was given to him by the Father, to enable Him to embrace fully His mission and be completely victorious in the enlarged sphere where God the Father had called Him to live and serve. It was on that day, at that time, when in essence, the Lord Jesus, put His armor on, and went forth to war.
God gives us the heart of a soldier, and the spiritual weapons for that conflict. He reveals to us that in this conflict, there IS victory, these weapons being “mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.” (2 Cor. 10:4) What are these “fortresses,” these “gates of hell,” places of resistance where the enemy of our souls would dominate and control? God has given the believer the power and authority, according to the word of God, to CAST DOWN, imaginations (reasonings), and every high thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of God,” bringing into captivity EVERY THOUGHT to the obedience of Christ.” (v.5) Essential to true worship and victorious living for the glory of God is the truth, and thinking according to the truth. It is having the mind of Christ that the blessing of God will be manifested in this fallen world.
Dear Father, open our eyes to see our calling, Your provision in Christ, and the greatness of Your power to us-ward who believe. Give us the heart of a soldier, and hands that use well, by prayer and faith, the effective weapons of our warfare. We thank and praise Thee, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad
Amen!