But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my … fellow soldier…
Summary: Paul calls Epaphroditus a “fellow soldier.” When we consider what this means, we wonder about the war such soldiers fight.
When we think of Christians, the first thing to come to mind is almost anything but “soldier.” The word “soldier” connotes fighting and war. Being a Christian is supposed to be all about “love.” So what do the two have in common?
To explain the soldier reference as I understand it, it helps to ask the question, “Why is there war?”
War is an expression of human conflict. Human conflict is the consequence of putting our selves first, instead of putting God first. Putting ourselves before God, of course, is the result of what we call “sin.”
But what is “sin?”
The Bible defines sin as “lawlessness” (1 John 3:4). For example, the first law was God telling Adam not to eat “from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil” (Genesis 2:17). The first sin, then, was when Adam and Eve disobeyed that law and ate from the forbidden tree.
Ever since then, there has been a battle. Not the kind of battle we see where bombs and bullets are flying back and forth, but a spiritual battle between humanity’s obligation to obey the Creator and our desire to serve our selfish nature.
This inner battle between doing right and wrong in God’s eyes is spiritual in nature, but it plays out in the physical realm, too. When people serve themselves before God and others, “others” become expendable. We see this in Paul’s world, time and time again, when Jews and Gentiles found themselves threatened by Paul’s Gospel message.
This is why Paul wrote about the “armor of God” in his letter to the Ephesians (Ephesians 6:10-17). In that letter, Paul is careful to point out that even though the fight spills out into physical violence, our battle is not against “flesh and blood.” Instead, Paul tells us that our enemy is the “forces of evil.”
To be a soldier in God’s army is a high calling. There are no earthly “perks” to motivate God’s soldiers. No signup bonuses, college expenses paid, or VA benefits. Instead, God’s soldiers are called to suffer, “like a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:3).
When Paul says Epaphroditus was a “fellow soldier,” he describes a man who has given his life to Christ and knows how to suffer for Jesus.
Application: Strive to put on the armor of God every day.
Food for Thought: What kinds of battles do soldiers of Christ Jesus have to fight today?
I think I’ll let Paul’s response to the church in Corinth answer for me today.
2 Corinthians 10: 3 – 5: For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Thank you, Rich!
Demolishing arguments and pretension sounds like an interesting challenge!
Do you think Paul was referring to the arguments and pretensions of other people or the ones in our own heads?
What kinds of battles do soldiers of Christ Jesus have to fight today?
We battle our own flesh: taking control of our minds, fighting distraction from Christ, temptation, enduring hardship.
Galatians 5:17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.
Romans 8:5-8 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.
We battle the world: secular reasoning, rationalization, relative truth, conformity, persecution, denying God and God’s truth.
1 John 2:16-17 For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.
James 4:4 You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
We battle evil forces: deception, spiritual attack, influence.
Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
Thank you, Chris!
I’m guessing the means of battle is different for each of the three arenas that you describe.
We are only given one set of armor. 🙂
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
14 Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
15 and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;
17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,
18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,
I find though, distinguishing between the “arenas” aids in knowing what to pray for. And Ultimately, the battle belongs to the Lord.
Amen! Well said, Chris! 🙂
What kinds of battles do soldiers of Christ Jesus have to fight today?
All are born into this world as self-centered beings, seeking the love, attention, approval and praise of other human beings which feed our ego and shape our character. In His timing, all are convicted by God of sin, righteousness, and judgement to come.
John 16:8, When he comes, he will prove the world to be in the wrong about sin and righteousness and judgment.
The moment all receiving Jesus Christ begin our journey in obedience to His call. We become a growing light in the darkness of this world.
Ephesians 6:12, For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.
Our Bible is our training manual, our sword against evil and the Holy Spirit is our teacher as we serve/grow in Christ, seeking His will over our own.
Romans 1:1, Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,
Galatians 5:16, Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.
As believers, we are secure in our salvation, and live knowing we remain on this earth for only one purpose. “ To submit to Gods will over our own being seen in our lives, in all circumstances.”
Know He is Sovereign, our battles are spiritual and our weapon is the love of God as written, and revealed in His word. We can smile in the face of adversity, have the power to remain unfazed by insults, and in the power of God, love the unlovable. We run with patience knowing every day on earth is being given to us by God and we must remain alert to His work.
We are blessed to be allowed to serve our God knowing He chooses to through us, reveal His truths to this world around us.
Thank you, Ron!
“Our Bible is our training manual …”
This is so true!
It helps us conform better to the image of our Creator. As you point out, “To submit to Gods will over our own…”