Soldering for Jesus

 

The Apostle Paul described Archippus as a “fellow soldier” (Philemon 1:2). The same description is made of Epaphroditus. (Phillippians 2:25)

The Greek word for soldier is συστρατιώτης (transliteration - soos-trat-ee-o’-tace).

Why this martial language with reference to Archippus and Epaphroditus? And why all the military metaphors in the New Testament?

The word "soldier" in Greek is a masculine noun. Don’t miss that - it is a masculine noun. Further the word “soldier” is a metaphor of something the Holy Spirit inspired Scriptures want us to hear. What?

A reminder of what a metaphor is:  It is a figure of speech in which one thing is likened to another to teach a principle. My question is why this martial language in the Christian faith?

Every Messianic believer is an enlistee in the army of God and is  a spiritual soldier of Jesus Christ. 

We know that a soldier is told with whom to go to war. Thus the Christian soldier has his enemies made known to him by the Scriptures. 

In short the enemies of Christ are: 

the world, 

the flesh 

and the devil. 

Christianity has forever made this point - to which our generation pays scant attention. In fact, in our era Christianity has been feminized to the point that the “soldier” metaphor is rarely taught. keep in mind in Greek it is a peculiarly masculine word. 

At the end of the day there are two kinds of soldier - bad and good. The good soldier is disciplined, manages his fear, is dedicated and reliable. The good soldier of Jesus Christ strives for these same qualities. 

Let me leave you with a question. About whom in your lifetime would you say, “now there is a soldier of Jesus Christ”?

"This war is not simply between Hamas terrorists and Israelis. It is a war against the Jews." - Michael Oren

“The Day of Judgement will not come about until Muslims fight the Jews. When the Jew will hide behind stones and trees, the stones and trees will say, ‘O Muslims, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him.’ ” — The Hamas Charter

 I value the Puritans of old. I come from a long line of them. Here is just one reason why.

This group that our culture loves to hate played a foundational role in shaping early America. Puritanism influenced the development of American values, and the idea of a "city upon a hill" that has persisted in the American identity. But, oh my, how far we have drifted from this beginning. 

They have much to teach us and America has much to learn from them.

 I am inspired by such ...

Questions

If you ask profound questions,

you get profound answers!

If you ask shallow questions,

you get shallow answers!

If you ask no questions,

you get no answers.

- Bobb Biehl 

Love to have been there!

What about you?

The Watchers

 

The watchman replied, “Morning is coming, but also the night…”  Isaiah 21:12. There is the job description of the watchman. He or she is positioned to say when the morning of hope is coming. In like manner the watchman calls out the impending darkness of judgment. 

The metaphor of the "watchman" points toward one appointed to keep a lookout, to guard or protect, and to provide warnings or guidance. That is precisely what the Holy One appointed formal prophets as well as informal to do. The watchman’s task has not ended. The church needs watchers as much as ever - perhaps more. 

How can you constructively be one of the church’s watchers?

Nickel knowledge: The word “Watchman” is used 15 times in the Old Testament and Ezekiel uses it the most logging in with 6 of the 15. 

Music of the Church: The hymn, "Watchman, Tell Us of the Night" will be familiar to some. 

Want to read more? 

Ezekiel 33:1-6

Isaiah 62:6

Psalm 130:6