Boot Camp for God's Army, Part 1

Boot Camp for God's Army

Part I

Isaiah 8:13-14

God is spoken of as the Lord of Hosts.  A translation of this is "the God of Armies".

     

     As Christians we have become a part of an Army that is invincible.  This is an all voluntary Army.

Romans 10:8-10

If we believe in our hearts and confess with our mouth, we shall be saved.

     In the induction center in the Army, I did the same thing.  I came in with a group of men from all walks of life.  We were of different colors, backgrounds, sizes and ways of seeing things.  We had nothing in common but the Oath we had taken.

     As we left the induction center and were put into units and were all issued the same clothing (Robes of righteousness were given to all Christians as they took the oath of Salvation).  We all dressed and looks alike in the Army.  Being a small man, my Army clothes didn't fit me very well  (also like being a new Christian, my robes felt like it didn't belong to me).

     As we were placed in our Platoons, we hardly knew each other and spent a lot of time getting used to our new surroundings.

     The first thing we were taught was discipline.  Most of us had none because of the life we had lived prior to induction.  In the church, we had to let old things pass away and all things become new.

    We were separated from all of our past people to start over in our Army life.  In the church we were commanded to "come ye out from among them" and touch not the unclean things.

     As we were called out for inspection, we had so many things wrong that our Sargent was almost overwhelmed, but he knew from experience, things would change.  We spent hours and endless miles of marching and drills that would cause us to rise up - even at night - and be ready.  In the church, we are commanded to be "vigilant and sober and be aware always".

     Later, we would be separated into different jobs (but still one Army).  Some would become engineers, clerk typists, supply, cooks, motor pool, etc., but each job was of importance.  In the church, we were all given gifts accordingly as the Lord saw fit (I Cor 12, Eph 4, Rom 12) but still one body (or Army) in Christ.

     We were all schooled in warfare with rifles, bayonet, mines, digging in, 3 point 5 rocket launcher - whatever weapons a Soldier would need, we used - because above all our different job descriptions, we were still a combat soldier.  Whatever your calling in Christ may be, you are still a combat soldier...Pastor, teacher, apostle, prophet, evangelist, exhorter, giving aid to the poor, missionary, whatever it may be.  You are trained and experienced to be at any and all times, a combat soldier.

     Some were sent off into combat, some sent to different places, but we built up a brotherhood that lasts unto this day.  Some gave their lives, some were taken captive, but none were ever forgotten and returned.

     In the Army, we were all issued the same combat gear.  In the church, we were all instructed to put on the whole armor of God and to learn to use the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God and pray in all manner of prayer (Eph 6).

     Right now, the Military is involved in a war in different lands.  In the church, we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual wickedness in high places, but the war is really all the same.  Jesus said we were to occupy until He comes back.  This is also a Military term as in Korea right now is an occupied land. It means to hold at bay the enemy by your presence there.

     There is no discharge from God's Army, all His soldiers are "lifers".