2 Corinthians 1:24 KJV
Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.
In my mind a company of soldiers appeared as I considered this passage. Soldiers can be in the battle for any number of reasons.
Some are there because they have been drafted
Some are there because it is expected of them
Some are there for a start in life
Some are there for the discipline
Some are there Because it was there or jail
Some are there because it is the only way they knew to earn a living and
Some are there because they believe in the cause
In Christ's army, the only true soldiers are there because they have a conviction. They stand where they stand by faith.
This is not to say there are some in Christian formation who are there for the wrong reasons. Just about all of the ones I listed above may be translated into some form of spiritual application. Here is the thing though, in the Lord's company only those who stand by faith are truly standing.
You can't be taught to stand (as in boot camp),
No man can force you to stand.
There is no captain over you who is capable of making you into something you are not. (with of course, the exception of Jesus Christ)
Only one thing makes a soldier for the Lord, that is faith.
You either believe to the point of a dying conviction or you are not in this company.
Are there leaders in the Lord's army? Yes, of course. But the Apostle tells us exactly what their position is. They have no real dominion over another soldier; their job is merely to help us in our joy in Christ.
That joy comes from a close and pure walk with Christ.
Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.
In my mind a company of soldiers appeared as I considered this passage. Soldiers can be in the battle for any number of reasons.
Some are there because they have been drafted
Some are there because it is expected of them
Some are there for a start in life
Some are there for the discipline
Some are there Because it was there or jail
Some are there because it is the only way they knew to earn a living and
Some are there because they believe in the cause
In Christ's army, the only true soldiers are there because they have a conviction. They stand where they stand by faith.
This is not to say there are some in Christian formation who are there for the wrong reasons. Just about all of the ones I listed above may be translated into some form of spiritual application. Here is the thing though, in the Lord's company only those who stand by faith are truly standing.
You can't be taught to stand (as in boot camp),
No man can force you to stand.
There is no captain over you who is capable of making you into something you are not. (with of course, the exception of Jesus Christ)
Only one thing makes a soldier for the Lord, that is faith.
You either believe to the point of a dying conviction or you are not in this company.
Are there leaders in the Lord's army? Yes, of course. But the Apostle tells us exactly what their position is. They have no real dominion over another soldier; their job is merely to help us in our joy in Christ.
That joy comes from a close and pure walk with Christ.
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