“I’m in the Lord’s Army”

Articles

Philip C. Strong
01/25/23 - Discipleship

Perhaps you sang this song as a child in Bible Class, but let’s think about being “in the Lord’s army” again now that we’re “all grown up”…

Jesus is the Commander in Chief, Eph.1:19b-23, “These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He (God) put all things in subjection under His (Jesus’) feet, and gave Him (Jesus) as head over all things to the church, which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.”
There are certainly Officers, Eph.4:11, “And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers,” but,
The rest of us are supposed to be soldiers: Paul called Epaphroditus as not only his brother and fellow-worker but also his “fellow-soldier” in Phil.2:25; he also referred to Archippus as a “fellow-soldier” in Phile.2; and likewise called upon Titus to be “a good soldier of Christ Jesus,” 2Tim.2:2.

Thus the NT certainly enlists the soldier motif. But how does one become a part of the Lord’s army? Contrary to what some might believe or espouse (that they were overwhelmed and conscripted by force), His is a strictly volunteer army! Yes, Saul of Tarsus was recruited and even blinded by the Commander in Chief, but still had to “rise and enter the city” to enlist and be sworn in and kitted out, cf. Acts 9:6-18. So there are no draftees, only volunteers are accepted.

So far, so good- we’ve “joined up” with the right side, but let’s go back to 2Tim.2 and line up for a bit of (self) inspection. Exactly what kind of soldiers are we? Or more specifically, “What kind of soldier am I (or are you)?”

One willing to “suffer hardship,” v.3a? Or, when the going gets tough and the battle rages, one who hastens a cowardly retreat, cf. Rev.21:8?
A “good soldier,” v.3b? Just as there good and bad doctors, lawyer, plumbers, and mechanics, there are good and bad soldiers! For soldiers in the Lord’s army, the Code of Conduct manual is clear, cf. vv.15-26!
“Of Christ” or just a self-serving mercenary, v.3c? Motivations matter. Some serve and fight from “pure motives,” and some only do so from “selfish ambition” (Phil.1:15-17) and thus become “enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is their same, who set their mind on earthly things,” Phil.3:18b-19.
“Active Service” or AWOL, or Retired, v.4a? What’s your status in the Lord’s army? In truth, there is only one “Active Service”- anything else is just “Dishonorably Discharged,” Luke 11:23.
One who “entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life” so as to be of no military value to the one who enlisted you, v.4b? Unfortunately, many suppose themselves to be in the Lord’s army, but the branch that only serves a few weekends a year because that’s “all MY schedule will allow.” Please read 2Pet.2:20.

So, have you enlisted in the Lord’s army, or are you still fighting on the (losing) side of Satan? Are you a good soldier who’s willing to suffering hardship on active duty, or too entangled in the affairs of everyday life? Think about these things, won’t you?