Combat Soldiers for Christ: Lessons Learned

During my time in active duty with the Army, I had the privilege of serving in an airborne unit that provided health care support to some of the most elite special forces soldiers in our country. These weren’t just soldiers—they were brothers and sisters in arms, a tightly-knit family committed to each other with a selflessness and devotion that few outside the military ever experience. Their singular focus was on being ready at all times, not just for their own sake, but for the sake of their team, their mission, and their country.

These men and women lived with a dedication that went far beyond duty. I never once heard them complain during field exercises, even in conditions that would test the resolve of the toughest individuals. Whether they were enduring freezing nights, grueling marches, or endless drills, their commitment to excellence and readiness remained steadfast. They embraced hardship not as an obstacle but as an opportunity to grow stronger and more capable for the sake of those they served alongside.

What struck me most was how they embodied the kind of love and unity that reminds me of the family we are called to be in Christ. Just as they trained and sacrificed for one another, so we, as soldiers in the Lord’s army, are called to live with that same selfless dedication—not for a cause bound by earthly borders, but for the eternal kingdom of God.

Today's Abide Above devotional, “Combat Soldiers for the Lord,” brought these memories to mind and stirred my heart to reflect on what it means to endure hardships as good soldiers of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:3). Just as those elite warriors embraced the challenges of their mission, we too are called to face spiritual battles with courage, faith, and unwavering trust in the One who fights for us and through us.

The Call to Endure Hardness

Paul’s exhortation in 2 Timothy 2:3 is a clarion call for all believers:
"Thou, therefore, endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."

Just as a combat soldier trains tirelessly to face an enemy on the battlefield, we are called to prepare ourselves for spiritual warfare. The truth is, there are no noncombatants in the Lord’s army. As believers, we are all stationed in enemy territory, and the battle line extends to every corner of our lives.

Combat Training: Conflict as Preparation

Martin Luther once remarked that his greatest teacher wasn’t a mentor or a classroom but the relentless opposition of the devil. He explained that his battles with sin and Satan shaped him into an effective minister, grounding him in the truths of Scripture through personal experience. Luther’s testimony resonates deeply with the reality that truth, when embraced in faith, often leads to conflict.

T. Austin-Sparks explains it well:
"Every bit of truth we receive, if we receive it in faith, will take us into conflict and will be established through conflict. It will be worthless until there has been this process."

This process of learning truth through adversity refines us, much like a soldier’s grueling training prepares them for battle. It’s in the fire of hardship that God establishes the real value of the truths we’ve been given.

Victory Through Suffering

The Apostle Paul reminds us in Romans 5:3-4:
"We also exult in our sufferings, knowing as we do, that suffering produces fortitude; fortitude, ripeness of character."

As a soldier of Christ, hardships are not a punishment—they are a platform for growth. It is in the crucible of adversity that our character is shaped, our faith is fortified, and our effectiveness as witnesses for Christ is sharpened.

C.H. Spurgeon famously wrote:
"I bear willing witness that I owe more to the fire, and the hammer, and the file, than to anything else in my Lord’s workshop. When my schoolroom is darkened, I see most."

In those darkened schoolrooms—when life feels overwhelming and the battle rages—we often gain the clearest vision of God’s purposes. Our suffering becomes a means of deepening our trust in Him, as we learn to lean not on our own understanding but on His sufficiency.

The Soldier’s Mindset: A Life of Mission

As I think back to those selfless soldiers, I’m reminded of the mindset they brought to every mission. Their training wasn’t an end in itself—it was preparation for a greater purpose. Similarly, our spiritual training equips us not for our own comfort but for the glory of God and the advancement of His kingdom.

And just as those soldiers never gave up on their mission, we are called to never give up on those entrusted to our care. Whether it’s guiding a wayward child, loving a struggling friend, or sharing the gospel with a resistant heart, we are to remain steadfast, trusting that God is at work even when we can’t see immediate results.

The story of the father in the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32) exemplifies this beautifully. The father never gave up on his son, waiting expectantly for the day he would return. Similarly, Jesus’ restoration of Peter after his denial (John 21:15-17) reminds us that failure isn’t final. Our role is to remain faithful, trusting God to bring about His purposes in His timing.

Marching Forward in Faith

As soldiers of Christ, we are called to endure hardness, to engage in the battle with courage and faith. This life of spiritual combat is not without its hardships, but it is filled with purpose and eternal significance. Our trials are not wasted; they are used by God to refine us, deepen our trust in Him, and equip us to serve others with grace and truth.

Let us remember that we don’t march alone. Our Commander is faithful, our armor is His provision, and our victory is secure in Christ.

A Prayer of Commitment

Lord, thank You for calling us to be soldiers in Your service. We trust You to strengthen us to endure hardness with grace, trusting in Your sufficiency. May we embrace the lessons You teach us through the fire, knowing that every trial refines our character and deepens our faith. Our desire is to never give up hope for those we love, trusting that You are always at work in their lives. Use us, Lord, to reflect Your glory, and guide us to walk faithfully in the mission You’ve set before us. Amen.