Basic HTML Version
Soldiers of Christ, May 26
By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of
righteousness on the right hand and on the left.
2 Corinthians 6:7
.
The church of Christ may be fitly compared to an army. The life of
every soldier is one of toil, hardship, and danger. On every hand are
vigilant foes, led on by the prince of the powers of darkness, who never
slumbers and never deserts his post. Whenever a Christian is off his guard,
this powerful adversary makes a sudden and violent attack. Unless the
members of the church are active and vigilant, they will be overcome by
his devices.
What if half the soldiers in an army were idling or asleep when ordered
to be on duty; the result would be defeat, captivity, or death. Should any
escape from the hands of the enemy, would they be thought worthy of a
reward? No; they would speedily receive the sentence of death. And is the
church of Christ careless or unfaithful, far more important consequences
are involved. A sleeping army of Christian soldiers—what could be more
terrible! ...
The Master calls for gospel workers. Who will respond? All who enter
the army are not to be generals, captains, sergeants, or even corporals. All
have not the care and responsibility of leaders. There is hard work of other
kinds to be done. Some must dig trenches and build fortifications, some
are to stand as sentinels, some to carry messages. While there are but few
officers, it requires many soldiers to form the rank and file of the army, yet
its success depends upon the fidelity of every soldier....
There is earnest work to be done by us individually if we would fight
the good fight of faith. Eternal interests are at stake. We must put on the
whole armor of righteousness, we must resist the devil, and we have the
sure promise that he will be put to flight. The church is to conduct an
aggressive warfare, to make conquests for Christ, to rescue souls from the
power of the enemy. God and holy angels are engaged in this warfare. Let
us please Him who has called us to be soldiers
[153]
33
Testimonies For The Church 5:394, 395
.
155