SOME THINGS FOR YOU TO CONSIDER - 6
New Testament Christians Are Soldiers In The Army Of The God Of Heaven And Earth. Jesus Is The Son Of God. Does It Matter What You Believe? Are You Really Converted To Jesus?
NEW TESTAMENT CHRISTIANS ARE SOLDIERS IN THE ARMY OF THE GOD OF HEAVEN AND EARTH
“For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it” (Luke 7:8, KJV).
Loved ones, we are soldiers – fit and ready for spiritual battle. We who are faithful Christians are soldiers in the army of our God. The Lord Jesus Christ is our commanding officer. The Holy Bible is our code of conduct. Love, faith, hope, prayer, and the Word of God are our weapons of warfare. We have been taught by the Sword of the Holy Spirit (which is the Bible, the Word of God), trained by experience, tried by adversity, and tested by fire.
We are soldiers – born again into God’s army. We have been enlisted for eternity. We will neither retire nor die in this army. We will not get out, sellout, be talked out, or pushed out. We will remain faithful, reliable, capable, and dependable. When God calls, we will answer. Where He sends, we will go. If He needs us in Bible class to teach children, to work with youth, to help adults, or just to sit and learn, He can use us because we are ready.
We are soldiers – we are NOT babies. We do not need to be pampered, petted, cuddled, or cradled. No one can entice or lure us away from Jesus our Captain. Our God will supply all our needs.
We are soldiers – we are NOT crybabies and wimps. We are fighting Satan, following Jesus our King, obeying His orders, praising His name, and building up His kingdom.
We are soldiers – we are committed. Our feelings cannot be hurt badly enough to turn us around. We cannot be discouraged enough to turn us aside. We cannot lose enough to cause us to quit. Even death cannot destroy us. When our commander calls us from this battlefield we will be eternal winners.
We are soldiers in the army of God – we are marching to Zion. We will not give up. More than conquerors, we will always triumph. Devils cannot defeat us. People cannot disillusion us. Weather cannot weary us. Sickness cannot stop us. Battles cannot beat us. Money cannot buy us. Governments cannot silence us, and hell cannot handle us. We can do all things through Christ Jesus, who lives in us and strengthens us.
We are soldiers in the army of God – we need your help. Will you march with us? How? ... You might ask. You can become a Christian by believing in Jesus as God’s only begotten Son. Believing that He died, was buried, and rose again on the 3rd day so your sins could be forgiven by His blood. You must repent of, or change your mind about, your sins as you turn to God. You must confess your faith in Christ as your LORD, the Son of God. And you MUST be immersed in water so that the blood of Jesus can cleanse and make you whole (Matthew 26:28; Revelation 1:5). Please pray about and then do these things while God gives you this day: “…Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
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Jesus Is The Son Of God
“1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth” (John 1:1, 14, KJV).
Loved ones, Christians believe that Jesus Christ is God who came in the flesh to provide a way for mankind to be forgiven of their sins. Jesus came as a guide to lead us through this world on the pathway to heaven.
Non-believers claim that the Bible is a book of myths and fables that have been made up through the centuries. The below words of truth provide absolute proof of the reality of Jesus Christ and the inspiration of the Bible. This proof has to do with prophecy and fulfillment.
Prophecies made and then fulfilled hundreds of years later cannot be just myths or interesting stories. They have been recorded and preserved for thousands of years and serve to absolutely verify the claims that are made about Jesus Christ – which He is the Divine Son of God, and our LORD and Savior.
Following are just a few of 365 or more prophecies made about Christ which were fulfilled in exact detail. We will not take up your time in quoting all the passages, but you can certainly turn to the passage in your Bible and verify the claims.
PROPHECIES – MADE – FULFILLED
Descendant of Abraham – Gen. 12:3 (1921 B.C.) – Matt. 1:1
Descendant of Isaac – Gen. 17:19 (1898 B.C.) – Matt. 1:2
Descendant of Judah – Gen. 49:10 (1689 B.C.) – Matt. 1:3
Descendant of David – 2 Sam. 7:12-17 (1000 B.C.) – Matt. 1:1
Place of His birth – Micah 5:2 (700 B.C.) – Matt. 2:4-6
Slaughter of innocents – Jer. 31:15 (596 B.C.) – Matt. 2:16-18
He would be a prophet – Deut. 18:15-18 (1410 B.C.) – Acts 3:22-23
Deaf hear and blind see – Isa. 29:18-19 (730 B.C.) – Matt. 11:4-5
Spoke in parables – Psalm 78:2 – Matt. 13:34-35
Hated without reason – Psalm 35:19 – John 15:24-25
Betrayed by a friend – Psalm 41:9 – Luke 22:47-48
Sold for 30 pieces of silver – Zech. 11:13 (487 B.C.) – Matt. 26:14-15
Money used to buy potter’s field – Zech. 11:13 (487 B.C.) – Matt. 27:1-10
Abandoned by friends – Psalm 38:11 – Mark 14:49-50
Accused by false witnesses – Psalm 27:12 – Matt. 26:60-61
Silent when accused – Isaiah 53:7 (690 B.C.) – Matt. 27:11-14
Crucified with criminals – Isaiah 53:12 (690 B.C.) – Luke 23:32-33
Cursed on tree (cross) – Deut. 21:13 (1410 B.C.) – Galatians 3:13
Hands and feet pierced – Psalm 22:16 – John 20:24-28
Mocked and insulted – Psalm 22:7-8 – Matt. 27:39-43
Gall and vinegar to drink – Psalm 69:21 – Matt. 27:34-38
Cast lots for His coat – Psalm 22:18 – John 19:24
No bones were broken – Psalm 34:20 – John 19:32-36
His body pierced – Zech. 12:10 (487 B.C.) – John 19:32-36
Buried with the rich – Isaiah 53:9 (690 B.C.) – Matt. 27:57-60
Resurrected from death – Psalm 49:15 – 1 Cor. 15:8
The proof above cannot be denied. Jesus Christ is God our Savior, the Son of God. Are you following Him? If not, do not let Satan continue to deceive you!
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DOES IT MATTER WHAT YOU BELIEVE?
“Prove all things; hold fast that which is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21, KJV).
Loved ones, a strange statement often overheard is, "Well, it doesn't make any difference what you believe....” Is this statement an accurate reflection of the will of God, or is it man's wishful thinking? Is the statement designed to please God, or to please men? The 27 books of the New Testament, God's will for man in this age, teach that it does matter what one believes.
It matters if we believe in God. Hebrews 11:16 says, "He that cometh to God must believe that He is....” It matters if we believe in Christ. Jesus said in John 8:24, "Except ye believe I am He, ye shall die in your sins.” It matters if we believe the truth. 2 Thessalonians 2:12 says, "That they all might be damned who believe not the truth....” The truth is God's Word (John 17:17).
It matters if we believe false prophets and teachers. John, the apostle of love, said, "Believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God…” (1 John 4:1). Peter wrote, “…there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them…” (2 Peter 2:1).
The negative which says, "What we believe doesn't matter," discourages research, stifles investigation, and puts a premium on ignorance. Unless error is the same as truth, up the same as down, and yes the same as no, then it does matter what we believe.
The Bible says Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). The Lord commands His Gospel to be preached to every creature under heaven, and "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned" (Mark 16: 15-16).
Does it matter what one believes about "gravity"? Yes, but it matters more what one believes about "faith" (Romans 10:17; Jude 3). Think carefully, if it doesn't matter what you believe — then it doesn't matter if you believe!
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ARE YOU REALLY CONVERTED TO JESUS?
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?” (2 Corinthians 13:5, KJV).
Loved ones, we’ve all seen a sinner who gets “dunked” in water, but never seems to adjust to the new life in Christ. They may have had the best of intentions, but for multiple reasons, they give up the race. Were these people successfully converted? Only God knows.
In the parable of the sower (Luke 8:11-14), Jesus summarized three reasons why people will not obey or remain faithful to God: 1) the devil snatches away the word that was in their heart; 2) truth doesn’t find deep root in their heart so it doesn’t last; and 3) the cares, riches, and pleasures of the world choke the word out of them before it becomes productive.
How can you NOT be one of these three unfruitful souls? ANSWER: By experiencing a successful conversion. The following four suggestions are being made to help you or those you teach have a successful conversion.
1. A successful conversion depends on the joy you have in your heart (Philippians 4:4). If you are thrilled to be a Christian, you will not have trouble understanding the value of obeying and staying faithful to Christ. The joy in your heart is not demonstrated by a cheesy, fake smile painted on your face all the time, but by the ability to rejoice in all the seasons of life - good or bad (James 1:2-4).
2. A successful conversion depends on the purity of your own life (Matthew 5:8; 1 John 3:2-3). If your own life is right with God, you will let your light shine and lost people will listen to what you have to say. Peter said that your good works will cause others to “glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:12). If your life is tainted with sin, your example of Christ living in you will be weak. Furthermore, a sinful lifestyle will show that you have not mastered yourself, and self-control is a vital fruit of the Spirit that a converted Christian will possess (Galatians 5:22-23).
3. A successful conversion depends on your ability to use the Bible (2 Timothy 2:15). A true disciple daily searches the Scriptures (Acts 17:11). He seeks teaching that allows him to grow in the application of knowledge (Matthew 11:28-29; Ephesians 5:17). Without a thorough knowledge of Scripture, you won’t be able to answer the questions and excuses thrown at you.
4. A successful conversion depends on your willingness to try (2 Timothy 2:2). You cannot win others to Christ if you don’t make the effort. Catch the vision! Talk about Jesus to everyone you meet (Mark 16:15). Winning others to Christ is one of the greatest joys in life. Jesus took opportunities to bring the Gospel to a righteous Pharisee - Nicodemus (John 3), and to a sinful Samaritan woman (John 4).
Keeping an “honest and good heart” (Luke 8:15) will rest on what you decide to do after coming out of the water of baptism. Paul said to walk by faith “in newness of life” (2 Corinthians 5:7; Romans 6:4). Your walk will be successful if you will take the above four suggestions and put them to solid use. Don’t delay and don’t neglect your need to develop.
Shared with you by Samuel A. Matthews, preaching with the Liberty NW church of Christ, meeting in Portland, Oregon, USA. The God of Heaven and Earth is so good, and His love reaches all. We love you with the love of the Lord (John 13:34-35) – 20 August 2026