A Good Soldier For God

PART ONE - WHAT IS GOD’S WILL FOR HIS PEOPLE?

Imagine living somewhere where everyone makes obedience to God their top priority. Where doing God’s will is woven into every thought, emotion, and action. Where self-centeredness is never a problem. Where there is such faith that people would prefer death over disobedience. It would be like heaven on earth. This is what God wants. He wants all His people to live as priests. People who do their jobs, daily chores, and every other part of their life while looking through spiritual eyes...being led by the Holy Spirit.

Here Jesus is talking to Israel (the Jews)... 'You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles' wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation'...(Exodus 19:4-6).

Here Peter is talking to Christians, probably both Jews and gentiles (non-Jews)… Therefore, laying aside all malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil speaking, as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the Word, that you may grow thereby, if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Therefore it is also contained in the scripture, "Behold, I lay in Zion a chief cornerstone, elect, precious, and he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame." Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, "The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone," and "A stone of stumbling and a rock of offense." They stumble, being disobedient to the Word, to which they also were appointed. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy (1 Peter 2:1-10). Jesus wants His people to think of themselves as priests first, everything else second.

Here John says Jesus has made his followers priests. ...and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen (Revelation 1:5-6).

Once again, those who are obedient to Him ARE priests. And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; For You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, and have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth" (Revelation 5:9-10).

Those who are resurrected first during the end of times will live as priests. Then I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and for the word of God, who had not worshiped the beast or his image, and had not received his mark on their foreheads or on their hands. And they lived and reigned with Christ for a thousand years. But the rest of the dead did not live again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection. Blessed and holy is he who has part in the first resurrection. Over such the second death has no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with Him a thousand years (Revelation 20:4-6).

It’s clear what God wants from us. As priests, He simply wants us to put obedience to Him first, over every other part of our life. Priests and disciples can be used interchangeably because they have the same goal...to carry out God’s will above all else.

Disciples are like the legendary Spartans. Disciples may be teachers, mechanics, and clerks, but first and foremost they are disciples...bringing war to demons and the enemies of God.

PART TWO - A DISCIPLE’S MISSION SHOULD BE CLEAR AND FOCUSED

The Training Ground has made its purpose very focused. We believe it should be the focus of every Christian. It’s to carry out the great commission in its entirety. This means making new disciples (not merely Christians) by spreading the Word, baptizing, and doing everything Jesus had commanded the first disciples to do. And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you... (Matthew 28:18-20). Among the things that Jesus had commanded them to do is cast out demons, heal the sick, etc. And as you go, preach, saying, 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand.' Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons... (Matthew 10:7-8).

Many American pastors are heavy into the intellectual pursuit of Christianity, but are sorely lacking in submitting to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Deeper spiritual truths are revealed only by the Holy Spirit. This makes the intellectually led pastors ignorant of the extent that demons influence people. They don’t realize how demons continuously pull people away from obedience God. If they knew, and if they were worth their salt, they would aggressively attack demons. Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead (James 2:17). They would teach their flock the ways of demons and how to utilize their power and authority over them. Instead of just saying Jesus has set the captives free, THEY would set them free! The power of God has been removed from most bible colleges and seminaries resulting in a weak, watered-down Christianity. During the end of days, Christianity will be seen by many as a powerless philosophy. Christianity will have a form of godliness, but with no power to prove it’s true. But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power (2 Timothy 3:1-5).

Understanding the world’s rejection of God’s power, disciples can’t let it hinder them. Those who the disciple loves the most may be ashamed of and reject what the disciple believes. This is even though the disciple can back everything up through scripture and action! The world will attack the disciple through rejection, distractions, mockery, hate, persecution, and any other way the demons can side-track the disciple. This is why it is so important for disciples to live a simple life with a simple focus. Disciples shouldn’t get caught up in worldly matters, they will only make the disciple lose focus. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please Him who enlisted him as a soldier (2 Timothy 2:3-4).

PART THREE - WHAT IS YOUR COMBAT READINESS?

These are some basic levels of Christianity.

We volunteer for basic training. This would be the level of the typical American Christian. We go to church and profess we believe in God. We look at ourselves as generally good people, but produce little fruit.
We volunteer for more advanced training. We dive deeper into some areas of Christianity. We actually read the bible somewhat consistently. The world is starting to spiritually respect us, but we aren't respected yet in the unseen spiritual world. We are starting to realize that maybe our ways are not always good. Generally speaking, we don’t produce a lot of fruit.
We volunteer for intense on-going training. We learn God’s will regarding every part of our life. We start understanding what it means to be led by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will start revealing deeper spiritual truths to us. Through the Holy Spirit, the great commission will be revealed in its entirety. We will then realize it’s God’s will for us to be casting out demons, healing the sick, and walking in power and authority over the devil. We realize our ways are NOT good. We MUST learn God’s ways. We start producing fruit, but we could be producing more.
We decide to put our intense never-ending training into action (we enter the battle zone). This is the level of the disciples, God’s best soldiers here on earth. Disciples spread the Word, as much by action as by mouth. Disciples baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (to adults who can make a conscious choice to submit to God). Disciples walk in the power of God, proving the Word is true. Disciples don’t just say God has power over demons. Disciples cast demons out of people! Disciples don’t ask God to heal people and then wait for Him to do it. Disciples command healing in Jesus’ name! If it doesn’t happen, they go on a mission to find the blockage to the healing! Disciples learn to speak in tongues. Disciples consistently put themselves through deliverance to remain spiritually clean. A disciple strives to always be led by the Holy Spirit, which allows the Spirit to reveal spiritually deeper things. A disciple never quits. A disciple knows that Christianity means a deep, trusting relationship with God. A disciple is the level of spiritual maturity God wants all of us to be striving for. A disciple produces much fruit.

Pastors...don’t think saving souls makes you a disciple. Discipleship goes beyond salvation. Disciples teach already saved Christians to walk in power, giving them the ability to destroy the demonic pressures that pull us away from obedience to God. Later He appeared to the eleven as they sat at the table; and He rebuked their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen Him after He had risen. And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was received up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God. And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen (Mark 16:14-20).

PART FOUR - HOLINESS REQUIRES OBEDIENCE

Becoming a good soldier for God means submitting to His will, even when it’s uncomfortable or scary. We can’t let worldly things pull us away from God...ever. The world is run by the devil through his demons. For this reason, the world pulls us away from God. The Holy Spirit, on the other hand, draws us to God. Both the world (demons) and the Holy Spirit desire for us to submit to them. Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God (James 4:4). Who we choose to submit to makes them our lord! Disciples spiritually separate themselves from this world and cling to God. This is holiness.

Remember, obedience is the crux for salvation. When Jesus sees us being obedient to Him, He’ll know we love Him. He’ll then ask his Father to give us the Holy Spirit. Here "If you love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever - the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. "A little while longer and the world will see Me no more, but you will see Me. Because I live, you will live also. At that day you will know that I am in My Father, and you in Me, and I in you. He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him" (John 14:15-21). As we continue to be led by the Holy Spirit, we remain heaven-bound. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law (Galatians 5:18). The Holy Spirit will teach us the deeper things of God. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you (John 14:26). Disciples seek the deeper truths of God.

PART FIVE - THE WORLD NOW

The world seems to be in a growing state of anti-Christianity. Within the U.S.A. Christian persecution is slowly ramping up. Currently, the idea of Christians being “haters” is being sparked by those promoting the LGBTQ agenda. To call homosexuality, or other perversions, sin is considered “hate” speech. People aren’t only getting socially “canceled” for this, but they are actually getting persecuted. Other satanic agendas will eventually become the norm and accepted by society. When Christians speak out against these agendas they will continue to be called “haters.” This will continue until this evil world hates Christians.

But know this...God is at work too. He’s raising up disciples who walk in the full power of God. Disciples who practice their God-given power and authority over the devil’s army. Disciples who go on the spiritual offensive, taking back lost ground. Disciples who cast out the demons pulling us away from God. Tongue speaking disciples who heal the sick, raise the dead, and walk in power to prove the word is true. Disciples are loyal soldiers who choose to continue in Jesus’ footsteps of destroying the works of the devil.

If we really believe in God. If we really believe the Word is true. What in this world is more important than living as a disciple? We should fear God. The same God that can not only kill us physically, but can also send us to hell for eternity. We MUST produce fruit for Him. "For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them. And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord's money. After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, 'Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.' His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' He also who had received two talents came and said, 'Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.' His lord said to him, 'Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.' Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.' But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. Therefore take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents. For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth' (Matthew 25:14-30).

Again, disciples who the Holy Spirit has revealed hidden truths to, are expected to produce fruit. For everyone to whom much is given, from him much will be required (Luke 12:48).