Together - Daily DevotionalSample

The Church – an Army

Reading: 2 Tim.2:1-7

Key Verse: “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus” v.3

Although the church is not directly likened to an army, this picture is sometimes used of individual followers of Jesus. Paul also uses military analogy in Eph.6 where he outlines a soldier’s armour and he talks about fighting the fight of faith in 1 Tim.6:12 and 2 Tim.4:7. In the OT the armies of Israel were often called upon to fight in order to defend themselves and extend God’s kingdom.

William Booth founded the Salvation Army in 1878 to fight against injustices of the day and fight for the kingdom of God’s light to be extended into the prevailing darkness. This would take disciplined, well trained, committed and sacrificial soldiers of Christ to endure the hardship, abuse and opposition they would inevitably face.

Isaac Watts, the great 18th century hymn writer, wrote of some Christians who preferred to live in comfort on “flowery beds of ease and blush to speak the name of Jesus”, whilst others would sacrifice their lives as soldiers of the cross. 

Although today we may baulk at the use of such overtly militaristic language, it does challenge us to reject self indulgent comfort, adopt a more disciplined lifestyle and pursue our Christian faith with energy and purpose.

Prayer: Lord, I commit myself to be Your faithful soldier of the cross