Definition of a Soldier
1 a: one engaged in military service and especially in the army
b : an enlisted man or woman
c : a skilled warrior
2 : a militant leader, follower, or worker
2 Timothy 2:3-4 - Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them.
This verse comes from a letter to Timothy from Paul. Paul wanted Timothy to understand that there would still be suffering thru his discipleship to others. Through his suffering he would also learn an endurance that is earned thru his consistency in following God's orders for his life. We are not to just receive Christ's power, but to utilize it as well. We must train as soldiers, sacrifice as soldiers, live as soldiers, die as soldiers.
There is a death to the flesh that is to happen when we accept Christ as our Savior.
2 Corinthians 5:17 - This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
We are new creations in Christ. The Holy Spirit gives us a new life. We are not reformed, rehabilitated, or re-educated. We are re-created in union with Christ.
Our country was founded on the principals of the Holy Bible. Our military and our constitution is an attempt to mirror what our forefathers have studied in God's Word. When you become a soldier for your country, you do as your squad leader, platoon sergeant, or first sergeant tells you. You are trained in basic training for combat with the enemy. In basic training you are secluded from your family, friends, and anything else you may know. This strategy is so that your full attention is on the task at hand. When you choose the military you are told that they own you. You are there to serve and to be servants. You will be told when to relocate, when to go to war, when to come home, what to wear and so much more. You listen hard, so as not to make any mistakes. When you are told to go, you go. Sometimes you are able to take your family, and sometimes, as in war, you are not. You do as you are commissioned, knowing that when the enemy is defeated, you will be reunited with your loved ones.
There is a parallel that God wants of His soldiers, but we seem to be lacking as Christians. We are lacking in our training, and sometimes in our relationship with our Lord. We need to listen hard to know what His tour of duty is for us.
The tour of duty for the Soldier Of Christ is never ending, that is until the devil is defeated in this worldly realm. Our commission is to spread the gospel to everyone. Our plan is right before us, and we already know how it ends. Yet, so many of us still do not fight the good fight.
Why do we not stay on course with God when knowing that we win? We are lazy in our training, and our initiative. Sometimes we may take the word of others and deem ourselves unworthy or not ready. We need to mute out the voices of the world so that we can listen to His voice. He is so much BIGGER, why can't we hear Him? Why do we doubt and ponder whether it is Him that we are hearing? His children know His voice. Why do we second guess?
SOCOM's Intent
SOCOM was originally started in June of 2008 as a simple Bible study for Soldiers and their families for weekly fellowship in the Word of God. Over time, our mission status has changed. God has since led us to become a fully operating ministry with new orders. Our mission now is to witness and share the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world over.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME!
We recognize that in order to achieve our mission goals, we have to discipline ourselves and become mentally tough and fully devoted, just as Soldiers preparing for war.
When the verse from 2 Timothy talks about "endure suffering," that's exactly what it means. There is a price to be paid if we are to reach our objective. In a physical war, every inch of ground is bought with the blood of the Soldiers who are attempting to advance against the enemy. In our spiritual war, every square inch of ground that we conquer has been purchased by the blood of Jesus.
I've been a real Soldier in war, along with many of our members. We can testify that, while you are fighting, nothing else matters. You can't worry about your mom and dad, your wife or husband, girlfriend or boyfriend, or even your bank account. The only thing that matters is accomplishing the mission and staying alive. Anything that doesn't accomplish one of those goals is a distraction, and should be treated as such. God tells us in the scripture above that, if we hope to accomplish the goals that God has for us, then we need to have a similar devotion to the cause. It also tells us that the only way to please your commanding officer (Jesus Christ) is to set aside every other concern in life and fight the war.
The Soldiers Of Christ Outreach Ministries helps provide the necessary weapons and ammunition needed to fight the enemy and become devoted Soldiers in the Army of the Lord. So put on your armor! Prepare for battle! Become a Soldier Of Jesus Christ!
