SOLDIERS OF THE CROSS
III
Memorise: But I keep under my body and bring it into
subjection: lest that
by any means, when I
have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. 1st Corinthians 9:27
Read: Ephesians 6:10-18, (KJV) 10 Finally, my brethren, be
strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.
11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to
stand against the wiles of the devil.
12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world,
against spiritual wickedness in high places.
13 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.
14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth,
and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of
peace;
16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall
be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.
17 And take the
helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the
Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all
saints;
Bible in one year:
Ezra 6:13-8:23, Ecclesiastes 6:10-7:8
MESSAGE
One of the girdles to use as a Christian soldier is truth,
and Jesus is the Truth. Every Christian soldier must live by the truth of the
Word of God. When Jesus came face to face with the devil in the wilderness, the
devil was unable to bring anything against Him. In boxing there are three major
blows: the jab, the hook and the uppercut. The ultimate goal of any boxer who
is in the ring is to hit the head of the opponent. While the opponent is making
efforts to see that his head is properly covered against the punches of the
opponent, his stomach is exposed and the boxer throws the hook on the stomach.
Once the stomach is affected, the opponent tilts forward and the boxer gives
the uppercut because he now has access to the head. The spiritual implication
of this is that the enemy concentrates on the weak points of a Christian
soldier. This is the strategy he applies in dealing with many Christians. The
devil has got you the moment he discovers your weak point. Therefore, the
easiest way to win the battle against the enemy is to win the battle against
yourself.
Let there be a separation between you and those things the
enemy can use to condemn you. Don’t ever allow the devil to bring you into
captivity. You have to keep your body and bring it into subjection. This you
can do by crying to the One who has recruited you as a soldier, to help you win
the battle over yourself.
This battle is not the type you win at once. The flesh will
always try to rise again, but you have to continue to fight so that you can
maintain your victory. The person, who will win a race, will only be crowned if
he runs according to the rules. Therefore, you need to live holy. External
forces intend to slow you down so that you don’t get to the finish line, some
may try to stop or pull you back, but what is inside of you should be strong
enough to overcome every resistance. You cannot afford to stop running until
you are called up into glory because the devil will never take a break. Endure
unto the end.
“But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be
saved”
Matthew 24:13
It is not the one who was leading at the beginning that gets
the crown but the one that leads to the end. You need to be disciplined as a
Christian soldier. Without discipline, one will soon become an ex-champion. The
Christian soldier must not allow the lusts of the flesh to distract him from
the race to heaven.
“For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap
corruption; but he that soweth to the spirit shall of the spirit reap life
everlasting”
Galatians 6:7-8
Prayer Point
Father, help me not to miss my reward as a faithful
Christian soldier.
Open Heavens ckgod, written by Pastor E.A Adeboye
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