Boot Camp for God's Army, Part 3

Boot Camp for God's Army, part 3

            II Timothy 2:3-4 (AMP), Take (with me) your share of the hardships and suffering (which you are called to endure) as a good (first class) soldier of Christ Jesus.  Vs4, No soldier when in service gets entangles in the enterprises of (civilian) life; his aim is to satisfy and please the one who enlisted him.

            Any one who is or even has been in service knows that there are hardships and sufferings that go with enlistment.  I was sent away from my home and family, I was subjected to speed marches, tear gas, heavy packs, loneliness, homesickness, frustration – a whole lifestyle that was totally different.

            The Platoon Sergeant - that also was my drill instructor – stood before all of us and said, “This is your home, you belong to me!  I am your Mother, your Father and everything you are.  You don’t think unless I tell you.  You get up in the morning when I say, you go to bed at night when I say.  You wear what I tell you and how I tell you.  You eat what and when I say, you speak when I say, and if I don’t say, be quiet!”

            To some kid off the block, these are fighting words until you find out that what he is doing is for your own good.  When you are learning mine warfare and demolitions, you get to where you listen very closely.  When you go through the infiltration course and they tell you, “Keep your head down”.  As you watch the tracer bullets (they look like they are about 10” above your head), you see what he means when he says, “Listen”.  You come to the place “in spite of some of the things that seem unnecessary” and you learn to trust his call.  Finally, you come to the point you know he is training you for something and some one that you know nothing about.

            The rigid discipline that you learn is something that stays with you all of your life and is for your own good and protection.  You finally learn that you are not the lone ranger, but part of something much bigger than yourself.

            Learning to go on field maneuvers in the rain, snow, heat, cold, dry or otherwise is to prepare you for whatever comes (I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me).  I have learned to be abased and I have learned to abound.

            Suddenly, you learn that you are no longer “entangled in the enterprises of civilian life”, but only the one who enlists you.

            When you are dealing with an enemy that is as cunning as the one the church deals with, you find that you rely on your training to keep you (and others) safe.

            When you are called upon for night patrol, you learn to look to the training of the leadership to get you back safely.

            John 16:13 (AMP), “But when He, the Spirit of truth (the truth giving Spirit) comes, He will guide you into all the truth (the whole, full truth), for He will not speak His own message (on His own authority), but He will give the message that has been given Him.  He will announce and declare to you the things that are to come (what will happen in the future).

            It dawns on you that the closer you listen and follow “the guide” or Sergeant or Lt., the better your chance of coming back alive will be.

            If only the church would begin to listen and the Drill Instructors teach and train the Army of God, the less chance of having all the wounded, dead and POW’s that we have lost to the enemy.  Sometimes, the civilian population doesn't understand the commitment and the oath you took, sometimes they fail to see and appreciate the hardships that you endure, but you know in your heart that you didn't do it for praise of the people, but to please Him who has enlisted you (II Tim 2:4).

            Learn to use your spiritual weaponry as you learn to use your rifle, learn to put on the Armor of God as you would put on your body armor in combat.  Learn to trust in the Word of God as you would trust in your oath of induction.  It is He who will train you in spiritual warfare, it is He who will provide you with armor (Eph 6:10), it is He who will lead you in “paths of righteousness for His namesake” (Ps 23).  Trust in the head of the church (Jesus), trust in the Holy Spirit to guide you safely back.

            Those of you, who read this and are now or have been in the military, know what I am saying and the danger and hardships that can go with it.  But you also know the feeling of what goes on in your heart at the knowledge of whom and what you are.  You don’t always need the thanks of others.  It’s the knowing that you have done that which was required of you and you have done it to the best of your ability.  (Colossians 1:8-11)  “to be worthy of the Lord and pleasing in His sight” is all the reward a “Christian Combat Soldier” needs.  There are those on the front lines and those behind the line.  There are those that hold the lines and replacements to keep the lines.  Ephesians 6:10-19 (AMP), especially vs. 14: STAND therefore (hold your ground).

            The last Medal of Honor recipient simply said, “I have only done what was required of me”.