FAKE SOLDIERS ON DUTY

"So, my son, throw yourself into this work for Christ. Pass on what you heard from me—the whole congregation saying Amen!—to reliable leaders who are competent to teach others. When the going gets rough, take it on the chin with the rest of us, the way Jesus did. A soldier on duty doesn’t get caught up in making deals at the marketplace. He concentrates on carrying out orders" - 2 Timothy 2:1-4 (MSG)

The story is told of the military legend Alexander the Great, King of Macedonia. One day on the war path, Alexander and a small company of soldiers approached a strongly fortified walled city and Alexander raised his voice and demanded to see the king. When the king arrived, Alexander ordered him to surrender the city and everyone inside. The king laughed, “Why should I surrender to you? You can’t do us any harm!”  But Alexander offered to give the king a demonstration. He ordered his men to line up in single file and start marching. He marched them straight toward a cliff. The people of that town gathered on the wall and watched in shocked silence as, one by one, his soldiers marched without hesitation right off the cliff to their deaths!  After 10 soldiers died, Alexander ordered the rest of the men to return to his side. The people of that town and their king immediately surrendered to Alexander the Great. They realized that if a few men were actually willing to die at the command of this leader, then nothing could stop his eventual victory.

Unlike the soldiers of Alexander the Great who are genuine and true soldiers indeed, there are many fake soldiers on duty in the kingdom today. Although, they dress and look like a true soldier of the cross but their actions and dispositions toward God's word and their leaders instructions clearly shows that they are fraudsters or criminals in military regalia. Their repentance is not genuine and the depth of their devotion to God is shallow. Their obedience is not total and their love for God has waxed cold. Many earthly kings had refused to surrender to the King of kings because these fake soldiers did not go off the cliff for Christ as commanded. They are a bunch of hypocrites who pretend to be serving God without pledging their complete allegiance to the Commander In Chief of the Armies of the entire Universe.

Beloved,  I hope you are not one of those fake soldiers on duty in the kingdom today. Do you prefer your comfortable cathedral more than the mission field? Do you prefer that your big fully air conditioned sanctuary more than that small church that God is sending you to go and labour for Him? Can you gladly sacrifice your comfort just to please your Commander-In-Chief? Are you truly a man who takes orders like the Centurion (Matthew 8:9)? Can you boldly say what Apostle Paul told the church in Philippians 1:21-" For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain" If your answers are not in the affirmative,  I urge you to please repent today and seek God's face for a fresh beginning with Him.

"I’m a man who takes orders and gives orders. I tell one soldier, ‘Go,’ and he goes; to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; ...."Matthew 8:9 (MSG)

The lyrics of a popular Christian hymn titled "Stand Up For Jesus" composed in 1859 by George Duffield Jr.  speaks volume on the subject matter.  Please join me this beautiful Thursday morning to sing and meditate on the lyrics of this wonderful hymn as we trust God to transform us into a true and faithful soldier of the cross till we see Him in glory.

STAND UP FOR JESUS

Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
Ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner,
It must not suffer loss:
From vict’ry unto vict’ry
His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished
And Christ is Lord indeed.

Refrain:
        Stand up for Jesus
        Ye soldiers of the cross;
        Lift high His royal banner,
       It must not, it must not suffer loss.

Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
The trumpet call obey;
Forth to the mighty conflict
In this His glorious day.
Ye that are men, now serve Him
Against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger.
And strength to strength oppose.

Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
Stand in His strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you;
Ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the Gospel armor,
And, watching unto prayer,
Where duty calls, or danger,
Be never wanting there.

Stand up! stand up for Jesus!
The strife will not be long:
This day the noise of battle,
The next the victor’s song;
To him that overcometh
A crown of life shall be;
He, with the King of glory,
Shall reign eternally.

As the Lord God of heaven liveth, the song of victory shall be heard in your home this month as you stand up for Christ. And you and I shall be numbered among the overcomers when the battles of this life is finally over in Jesus name.

May I use this opportunity to invite you to the March 2018 special Holy Ghost service of the Redeemed Christian Church Of God. Date: March 1st - 3rd, 2018. Theme: Stronger Than Your Enemies - 3. Time: 7pm daily.  Venue: Redemption Camp,  Nigeria. Ministering: Our beloved Daddy- Pastor E.A Adeboye and other anointed Ministers of God.

Good morning and Happy new month.

Maranatha!

Bro. Okanlawon Taiwo

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