Keeping in shape for the battle

Christian soldier, it's time for some spiritual calisthenics. A good soldier has to keep himself physically fit at all times, and a good Christian soldier has to keep himself spiritually fit, too. The battle continues for the souls of our brothers and sisters. It never ceases. Satan never rests; in fact "the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour." (1 Peter 5:8). Thanks be to God that our Commander-in-Chief will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5); He is with us even to the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). As we walk daily with Jesus, He will teach us all things and "then [we] shall know the truth, and the truth shall make [us] free." (John 8:32)

But Jesus also told us, "take up [your] cross daily and follow Me." (Luke 9:23, emphasis mine) Why did He tell us to follow Him daily? Why didn't He tell us to check in, say, once a week, or on alternate Thursdays? Remember the story of the golden calf? (Exodus 32) Moses left the children of Israel and went to intercede for them with God, after God had delivered them from the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. In fewer than forty days, the Hebrews had forgotten the God who delivered them and had Aaron make them a Gold Calf, of which they then said, "This is your god, O Israel, that brought you out of the land of Egypt!" (Exodus 32:24). How soon we forget!

You see, Captain, Jesus knows that we can't be out of His sight for even an hour without our turning our attention elsewhere. Think of the disciples in the garden of Gethsemane; they couldn't even watch for an hour, while Jesus prayed. He told them, "What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? ⁴¹ Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”(Matthew 26:40-41, emphasis mine) Jesus told the disciples "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing." (John 15:5, emphasis mine) It seems Jesus has your number

So, Christian soldier, remain in Jesus. How? Paul told the church at Thessalonica to "pray without ceasing." (1 Thessalonians 5:17) I believe the exhortation here is to be constantly aware that you are in God's presence, and constant prayer keeps you aware. Read the Word of God; and not only read it but hear it (Romans 10:17); read it (1 Timothy 4:13, Revelation 1:3); meditate on it (Joshua 1:8); share (teach/preach) it (2 Timothy 2:15); memorize it (Psalm 119:11); do it (James 1:22); and obey it (John 14:15, 23-24; 1 John 5:3).

(I humbly suggest you click on the document The Word of God: A Bible Study, under Document Links in the right hand column of this blog, and take a few minutes to complete the study. )

Another part of your spiritual workout is to learn to be aware of things to avoid. The psalmist tells us in Psalm 1:

¹ Blessed is the man
Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
Nor stands in the path of sinners,
Nor sits in the seat of the scornful;
² But his delight is in the law of the LORD,
And in His law he meditates day and night.
³ He shall be like a tree
Planted by the rivers of water,
That brings forth its fruit in its season,
Whose leaf also shall not wither;
And whatever he does shall prosper.

What does it mean to walk in the counsel of the ungodly? We have been talking about walking in the counsel of Jesus. That is to study His teachings and act upon them and to remain in constant communication with Him. The psalmist warns us NOT to study the teachings of the wicked and act upon them, nor to remain in constant communication with the ungodly. The Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) clearly tells us to take the good news of Jesus Christ to those who are lost (the ungodly) but the Psalm makes it equally clear that we are NOT to be influenced by them.

Similarly we are not to "stand in the path of sinners." Upon first reading this line seems to be saying we should not get in the way of sinners committing their sins but let them proceed. A study of the original Hebrew, however, makes it clear that this is an admonition not to "take our stand" with the sinners. That is, we are to take a stand for God.

Neither are we to sit in the seat of the scornful. That is to say, we are not to take any part with those who scorn the precepts of God or mock those who are true believers. Instead, we are to delight in the law of the Lord and meditate in it night and day. The result will be our spiritual prosperity, as we bring forth the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), watered by the rivers of living water (John 4:14).

Soldier, you are called to go into the battle, but be wary lest you defect to the enemy!! You must be in top spiritual condition to withstand the onslaught of the enemy. Your brothers and sisters are out there waiting to be rescued. Study the Word and meditate in it night and day, and pray without ceasing.

Now, drop and give me twenty. Whooo Ahhhhh!!