A Soldier who acts like he's a Tourist

[Vine Abider]

I am a soldier of Christ.  However, my confession is that much of the time I think and behave like I'm a tourist out to see the world and enjoy everything (and just sort of dreams of becoming a real soldier).

"For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like."  James 1:24-25

[Marathoner]

You are a real soldier, brother. A soldier is trained to obey orders from command.

A soldier is trained to support and lay down his life for his fellow soldiers.

A soldier is devoted to duty and presses on in spite of adversity.

A soldier never leaves anyone behind.

A soldier is trained to wield weapons safely, and competently.

A soldier is acquainted with fear. He understands the meaning of courage... courage is not the lack of fear. Courage is the resolve to overcome fear.

Sound familiar? 

[Vine Abider]

3 hours ago, Marathoner said:

You are a real soldier, brother. A soldier is trained to obey orders from command.

A soldier is trained to support and lay down his life for his fellow soldiers.

A soldier is devoted to duty and presses on in spite of adversity.

A soldier never leaves anyone behind.

A soldier is trained to wield weapons safely, and competently.

A soldier is acquainted with fear. He understands the meaning of courage... courage is not the lack of fear. Courage is the resolve to overcome fear.

Sound familiar? 

Sounds like Christ!

[AnOrangeCat]

5 hours ago, Vine Abider said:

I am a soldier of Christ.  However, my confession is that much of the time I think and behave like I'm a tourist out to see the world and enjoy everything (and just sort of dreams of becoming a real soldier).

I think this is true of all of us to varying extents. We can be very much aware that we could be doing better. The flip side of the perspective is that we're the body of Christ and all have different purposes and styles. Sometimes a tourist's perspective and approach is going to be more efficient at reaching certain people than a soldier's would be.

[Marilyn C]

10 hours ago, Vine Abider said:

I am a soldier of Christ.  However, my confession is that much of the time I think and behave like I'm a tourist out to see the world and enjoy everything (and just sort of dreams of becoming a real soldier).

"For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror, and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like."  James 1:24-25

 

 

Hi VA,

You are actually behaving like a soldier for I see you have addressed `dying to self` though your attitude on the forum, plus your `gathering` `pastoral` gift is quite evident. You continually post threads that encourage others to think about their walk with the Lord etc. 

It is fine that you enjoy the gifts God has given you - family, friends, the world around, but I see it does not dominate your focus. So be encouraged for I see you and think others do too that you are a `soldier` standing for His truth daily against the lies and false teachings of the enemy.

regards, Marilyn.

[farouk]

Just now, Marilyn C said:

Hi VA,

You are actually behaving like a soldier for I see you have addressed `dying to self` though your attitude on the forum, plus your `gathering` `pastoral` gift is quite evident. You continually post threads that encourage others to think about their walk with the Lord etc. 

It is fine that you enjoy the gifts God has given you - family, friends, the world around, but I see it does not dominate your focus. So be encouraged for I see you and think others do too that you are a `soldier` standing for His truth daily against the lies and false teachings of the enemy.

regards, Marilyn.

@Marilyn C Kind of brings Ephesians 6 - the whole armour of God passage - into focus, doesn't it?

[farouk]

This is an interesting thread............

[Starise]

I had been giving this subject some thought before this thread, and have asked myself questions like, can I go on a vacation? ( didn't get one this year )  Can we as belivers enjoy some of life while here? Or are we to have our noses to the grind wheel 24/7? Lots of people who talk about being soldiers are right now sitting in the lap of luxury, and haven't ever expended themselves in a way that would seem like a sacrifice.

It is clear the word talks about a spiritual battle. A battle not only against our unseen foes, but a battle against the flesh that continues to reside in us. What does the soldier of Christ look like outwardly?  They don't go after the things the world values. Some may ask, what does that look like? It looks like a person with an upside down value system according to the world. Our goal is our target, pleasing the Lord in all that we do. The Lords provides those things we need and we don't focus on any of that. This doesn't mean we are in a disconnect with our finances, or that things can't be used for kingdom purposes. The Lord made use of a donkey at one point, and in other instances, fishing boats.

Lots of discussions here about this world not being our home, and what the coming and present kingdom looks like. Most of the thoughts men have are inward projecting, but the soldier takes care of themselves so they can do outward kingdom work. Many will ask how does this concern 'me', how will it affect 'me'? God will take care of that if we are willing to be faithful.

Soldiers in battle generally aren't happy people. It isn't a fun experience unless a person is nuts. Noone likes to get involved in battle with strong opponents. As branches of the vine our strength lies in Him, not us. Our opponent has already lost the war at the cross, but is still loose with his forces to do as much damage as possible. You may ask, why hasn't the Lord just nipped him in the bud? He has His reasons, not all of which we are privy to. That final day will come.

Soldiers need to pull away and rest. Christian soldiers need to pull away and pray, owning the word internally. NOTHING can separate us from the love of the Lord, which includes His protection, so long as we aren't foolish servants and do harm to ourselves by going out in partial armor.

[Vine Abider]

1 hour ago, Starise said:

I had been giving this subject some thought before this thread, and have asked myself questions like, can I go on a vacation? ( didn't get one this year )  Can we as belivers enjoy some of life while here? Or are we to have our noses to the grind wheel 24/7? Lots of people who talk about being soldiers are right now sitting in the lap of luxury, and haven't ever expended themselves in a way that would seem like a sacrifice.

It is clear the word talks about a spiritual battle. A battle not only against our unseen foes, but a battle against the flesh that continues to reside in us. What does the soldier of Christ look like outwardly?  They don't go after the things the world values. Some may ask, what does that look like? It looks like a person with an upside down value system according to the world. Our goal is our target, pleasing the Lord in all that we do. The Lords provides those things we need and we don't focus on any of that. This doesn't mean we are in a disconnect with our finances, or that things can't be used for kingdom purposes. The Lord made use of a donkey at one point, and in other instances, fishing boats.

Lots of discussions here about this world not being our home, and what the coming and present kingdom looks like. Most of the thoughts men have are inward projecting, but the soldier takes care of themselves so they can do outward kingdom work. Many will ask how does this concern 'me', how will it affect 'me'? God will take care of that if we are willing to be faithful.

Soldiers in battle generally aren't happy people. It isn't a fun experience unless a person is nuts. Noone likes to get involved in battle with strong opponents. As branches of the vine our strength lies in Him, not us. Our opponent has already lost the war at the cross, but is still loose with his forces to do as much damage as possible. You may ask, why hasn't the Lord just nipped him in the bud? He has His reasons, not all of which we are privy to. That final day will come.

Soldiers need to pull away and rest. Christian soldiers need to pull away and pray, owning the word internally. NOTHING can separate us from the love of the Lord, which includes His protection, so long as we aren't foolish servants and do harm to ourselves by going out in partial armor.

That was most thoughtful . . . I don't think we need to be overly austere or go too far, and that sort of thinking can lead into a legalism which stifles the Spirit.  How I see it is a soldier or athlete doesn't let themselves get entangled with the affairs of this life.  Sure, we have to deal with practical things, but there is a point where we get wrapped-up in them and our hearts can get entangled with the cares of this life, and the life in us can get choked.  Then we are hindered in running the race, and/or can't hear the commands of our Savior/General, directing where we should go in the battle.

So I suspect it is yet another area we have to be diligent to give the matter to Him.  My prayer: "Lord, keep our hearts fixed on You!  Don't let us become entangled with things that will hinder us from following you and hearing Your voice.  We give you full permission to remind us of our true identity in You, whenever we need reminding. Cause us to behold the brightness of Your glory and let the affairs of this life fade, and may Your glory shine through us more and more in these days!"

[farouk]

9 minutes ago, Vine Abider said:

That was most thoughtful . . . I don't think we need to be overly austere or go too far, and that sort of thinking can lead into a legalism which stifles the Spirit.  How I see it is a soldier or athlete doesn't let themselves get entangled with the affairs of this life.  Sure, we have to deal with practical things, but there is a point where we get wrapped-up in them and our hearts can get entangled with the cares of this life, and the life in us can get choked.  Then we are hindered in running the race, and/or can't hear the commands of our Savior/General, directing where we should go in the battle.

So I suspect it is yet another area we have to be diligent to give the matter to Him.  My prayer: "Lord, keep our hearts fixed on You!  Don't let us become entangled with things that will hinder us from following you and hearing Your voice.  We give you full permission to remind us of our true identity in You, whenever we need reminding. Cause us to behold the brightness of Your glory and let the affairs of this life fade, and may Your glory shine through us more and more in these days!"

@Vine Abider I myself indeed love the verse Hebrews 12.2, which exhorts us to keep 'looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith'.