by Chris Steele

Our daily news gives us a regular dose of stories from the war-torn places around the world. We appreciate the efforts and sacrifices that are being made by our soldiers in other lands. These stories cause us both to rejoice and to shed tears. Battles are won and battles are lost. Some lives are saved are some are lost.

The Bible tells us that the church is an army of soldiers at war. Christians are in a fight for what is right and good: battling the forces of evil (Ephesians 6:11-12). Paul encouraged Timothy to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus...endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:1, 3). Again in 1 Timothy 6:12, Paul admonished, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life.”

Although we may be concerned about events in places like Afghanistan and Iraq, or with al Qaeda and terrorism, we have a battle to fight that is on a higher plane. “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:13). Think on the words of these favorite songs.

Onward, Christian soldiers, marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus going on before:
Christ the royal Master leads against the foe;
Forward into battle, see, His banner go.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, Ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss;
From victory unto victory His army shall he lead,
Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed.

Encamped along the hills of light,
Ye Christian soldiers, rise,
And press the battle ere the night,
Shall veil the glowing skies.
Against the foe in vales below,
Let all our strength be hurled;
Faith is the victory, we know,
That overcomes the world.

Soldiers of Christ arise, And put your armor on;
Strong in the strength which God supplies,
Thro’ His beloved Son.