Onward Christian Soldiers
The courage of a soldier is heightened by his knowledge of his profession, and he only wants an opportunity to execute what he is convinced he has been perfectly taught. A handful of men, inured to war, proceed to certain victory, while on the contrary numerous armies of raw and undisciplined troops are but multitudes of men dragged to slaughter.
–Flavius Vegetius Renatus, De Re Militari, AD390
The Bible teaches that God’s weapons were created to be used. Used versus what? Indulge me here: used versus talked about — used versus ignored — used versus studied — used versus debated — used versus avoided — used versus preached — used versus misused — used versus passed over.
Far too often we men like to think of ourselves as Christ-loyal, but we don’t want to use our weapons. If we are to be graded on our familiarity with our weapons, like they do in any good standing army, I shudder to think what our spiritual instructors would say. “How long have you been a believer, boy?” Can you see it? Would that be you? The Bible assumes we’ll actually use the weapons issued to us. Don’t you want to knock down the devils strongholds?
Let me put it this way. What do old war veterans talk about when they get together? The answer is the battles that defined them. Why is their bond so strong? Now ask yourself: what is it you’re really missing in your life that would create this kind of bond? And how do you think you’ll get there? Right –fighting battles.
Father, thank you for not only the pat on the head but the kick in the pants.