Join The Army

"Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes burned like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written:

KING OF KINGS AND
LORD OF LORDS."

~Revelation 19:11-16

When I was a kid, we used to sing a song in Sunday school called "I'm In The Lord's Army."

"I may never march in the infantry

Ride in the cavalry
Shoot the artillery
I may never fly o'er the enemy
But I'm in the Lord's army!
Yes sir!"

As we sang, we stomped our feet, clapped our hands, rode imaginary steeds, and flew around the room with our arms out like wings. It was great fun and allowed us to be loud in church! We had no real idea what being in the Lord's army actually meant, and I sometimes wonder how many adults really take the task seriously. Sometimes, when talking to other Christians, it seems as if being a Christian is something people do, rather than who they are.

Following Jesus requires effort, determination, and, above all, faith that Jesus is who He says He is, and will do what He says He will. Being a Christian requires more than showing up at church on Sunday, and mumbling along to a few hymns. It even requires more than a few acts of service, like teaching Sunday school or cleaning the church. Being part of the Lord's army requires a heart change, a mindset change, and a lifestyle change. It's not about performing tasks to show our righteousness like the Pharisees did, it's about a total life transformation from the inside out (2 Corinthians 5:17).

We live life from the outside in, or in other words, we internalize outside circumstances and they become the things we believe. Following Jesus requires we chuck all that and live from the inside out. 

"Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did (1 John 2:6)."

Not that we are to wear robes and sandals, walk everywhere, or even preach the Word of God. Jesus lived His life loving others, serving others, and helping other people. He was kind, caring, and didn't look at people's outward appearances but at who they were if they only internalized His message.

We will one day ride as part of Heaven's armies and it will be glorious, but while we're here on Earth, we are still part of the Lord's army. The church is Heaven's army in this world and we need to start acting like it. We can all reach the lost in very real ways if we emulate Jesus and show the same love and care for a hurting world.

"A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another (John 13:34-35).”

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Leviticus 22-Numbers 2

A Year of Blessings by Marie McGaha ©2018