"Open thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law." Psalms 119:18 (KJV)
He Says He's a Soldier
“You’re sure you’re a soldier?” I queried.
“Yes sir,” quipped the slovenly dressed young man in civilian clothes.
“Where’s your uniform?”
“Well,” he explained, “I don’t wanna be like everyone else. I never even bought one.”
“Hmm,” I scratched my head. “If you’re a soldier certainly you must have read the soldiers’ training manual.”
“No, never read it at all.”
“You’re a soldier, don’t have a uniform and never even read the training manual?” I was really perplexed now. “Certainly, you’ve attended boot camp?”
“No, never had the time. I always had something to do when they wanted me to go.”
“And you’re sure you’re an United States Army soldier?”
“Yes sir. I’m very proud to serve my country. Whenever they need me, they can count on me,” was his proud answer.
“I’m really a little bit confused. You say you’re a soldier, but never wore the uniform, never read any procedure manuals, and never attended training. Did you ever fight in any battles?”
“Oh, no. They wouldn’t let me, because I never attended boot camp. But when they have a war, I’ll be there.”
“Hmmm.” I just had to ask, “Well, what makes you so sure you’re a soldier?”
“I must admit it seems strange that I haven’t done things most soldiers do. But, you see, my father was in the service. His father was also in the Army, and I believe even his father was also. So everyone just knows I’m a soldier, too.”
This fictitious scenario is echoed thousands of times through a similar testimony of professing Christians. They claim they are a child of God, but don’t dress or behave like one. They never read God’s training manual, the Bible, never faithfully attend church or are observed doing anything spiritual. They are in the battle and have lost, but they don’t even know it’s started.
God’s Word clearly teaches one way to be saved. It is not my method or yours that will get one into heaven. It is His heaven, and there is only one way there. It is His way.
That way is to know we are sinners, as Romans 3:23 clarifies: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;.” Because of our sin, none of us have pleased God and await an eternal punishment for them as Romans 6:23 states : “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
There is good news, however. Although we are sinners and heading for hell, Christ died for our sins and paid for them (Romans 5:8). The true way to get to heaven is to accept His payment for all our sin. Then we have God’s promise that we will go to heaven: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13).” This is God’s way to get to heaven.
Being a Christian will soon be a public affair. People will see that the Holy Spirit has done some changes in one’s life. Family and friends will see moral practices replacing old wicked routines and habits. It will be evident where the Christian will be on Sunday. His Bible will also no longer be dusty.
It will no longer be a guessing game to determine if one is a real Christian when one is truly saved His fruits and actions will make it clear that he is “born again.” He will be proud to be enlisted in God’s army and will make it evident by looking and acting like a real soldier.
This article was featured in The Bible View #245.