The Army Of The Lord.

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. ( 2 TIm 2:3-4 )

In this study, we will explore what it means to be part of the Army of the Lord. I’ve included an Uncle Sam poster with the words “I want you for the US Army.” The Bible teaches us that natural truths can show spiritual truths (1 Cor 15:46). The Lord is seeking new recruits for His Army, and anyone can qualify.

When you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are automatically enlisted in the Lord’s Army. I reflected on my time in the US Navy. I noticed how recruiters had quotas to meet. They also offered bonuses for new recruits. Similarly, evangelists are the Lord’s recruiters, bringing sinners to salvation and receiving heavenly rewards for their efforts.

We diminish the gospel when we are content with bringing just one sinner to the Lord. God desires a broader vision for His people. The Bible instructs us to teach nations, which encompass multitudes. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to bring multitudes to His glory.

Boot Camp

After salvation, it is crucial to find a good church. The church should teach you about your identity in Christ. It should also teach you what belongs to you. Then comes the challenging part—Boot Camp. Here are a few pointers to understand the process:

1. Mind Renewal: Just as your identity changes from civilian to soldier, so it is with the spirit. You have been transferred from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light! Praise God!
2. Tongue Transformation: For your identity to be established, you need to internalize God’s word that affirms your identity. Make it a habit to confess God’s word daily. The more you do it, the easier it becomes to acquire the mind of Christ. It also becomes easier to think like Him (Joshua 1:8).
3. Hatred of Sin: To advance in the Lord’s Army, start by loving righteousness. Understand His calling by hating iniquity (sin). As you do, the oil of joy will pour over you. You will experience God more deeply in your life. More to come.