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“Soldiers of Christ, Arise”

by Micky Galloway

“Finally, be strong in the Lord, and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against the principalities, against the powers, against the world-rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual (hosts) of wickedness in the heavenly (places). Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. Stand therefore …” (Ephesians 6:10-14). “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh (for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but mighty before God to the casting down of strongholds), casting down imaginations, and every high thing that is exalted against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (II Corinthians 10:3-5). Peter wrote, “Be sober, be watchful: your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour, whom withstand stedfast in your faith …” (I Peter 5:8-9). Beloved, Satan is our enemy, and we must fight. Rather than engaging the enemy, many of us have been lulled into a passive faith. Is this any wonder when amid all the “political correctness” of our day, we are pressured to keep our beliefs to ourselves, lest we offend someone? When we do take a stand we are often branded as “judgmental” and “intolerant.” Consequently, many have laid down the sword and focused on non-controversial subjects like “love” and “forgiveness,” and turned the church into a glorified social club.

The song, “Soldiers of Christ, Arise,” was written by Charles Wesley (1707-1788). Charles and his brother John were leaders of a group in England that eventually developed into the Methodist church in 1729. The song was originally written about 1742 with sixteen verses, each with eight lines. The tune we use is usually attributed to William Batchelder Bradbury (1816-1868).

This song encourages us to fight.

Verse 1 “Soldiers of Christ, arise, And put your armor on; Strong in the strength which God supplies Through His beloved Son.” We must remember who we are! We are SOLDIERS! A good “soldier” must be militant, “engaged in warfare or combat … aggressively active” (Webster). Jude admonished, “… contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered unto the saints” (Jude 3). Some shirk from the battle. Such faithlessness results in discouragement, despair, apathy, and cowardice. We are to “arise!” Some are asleep. “It is time for you to awake out of sleep,” Paul said, “[putting] on the armor of light,” “Awake, thou that sleepest …” (Romans 13:11-12; Ephesians 5:14). Armor is to be put on in preparation to fight! “Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11). We are defenseless against the “wiles of error” (Ephesians 4:14), the “fiery darts of the evil one” (Ephesians 6:16), unless we deliberately put the armor on. Well equipped with the armor God supplies through His beloved Son, we are strong.

Verse 2 “Strong in the Lord of hosts, And in His mighty pow’r; Who in the strength of Jesus trusts, Is more than conqueror.” From a Roman prison Paul said, “I can do all things in him that strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). But that involves trust! In II Corinthians 1:9 as Paul describes the affliction suffered in Asia, he said “that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raiseth the dead.” He through Christ will make us “more than conquerors” (Romans 8:37). What mighty power.

Verse 3 “Stand, then, in His great might, With all His Strength endued; But take, to arm you for the fight, The panoply of God.” The admonition of God is to STAND AND FIGHT, not shirk and run! God has given us the “panoply” (panoplia – whole armor). All the tools necessary to stand: truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, and the word of God which is for defense and offense. Temper that with prayer and vigilance (Ephesians 6:14-18) and you have a soldier, strong and disciplined, prepared for battle.

Verse 4 “Leave no unguarded place, No weakness of the soul; Take every virtue, every grace, And fortify the whole.” Satan as a roaring lion, “walketh about” (I Peter 5:8). He is ever active and he knows your feelings, your every weakness, and every circumstance of your life. He can and will use it to consume you. Though a formidable foe, he is not unconquerable. He can be overcome if we continue steadfast in our faith. James said, “Be subject therefore unto God; but resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). Resist him the way Jesus did, directly with the word of God (Matthew 4:1-11). Never negotiate with the devil! Give all your attention to fortification. Add to your faith every virtue, every grace: knowledge, self-control, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and love. “If” you “abound” in these things and, “give the more diligence to make your calling and election sure,” you shall “never stumble” (cf. II Peter 1:5-10). Satan will find no vulnerable place of attack.

Verse 5 “That having all things done, And all your conflicts past, You may o’ercome thru Christ alone, And stand entire at last.” Paul emphasizes, “Wherefore take up the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand. Stand therefore …” (Ephesians 6:13-14). Having made every preparation, abounding in every virtue, strengthening every weakness, supplying every possible fortification, stand and fight until the bitter end. We know that there will come a time when all conflicts are past and we will rest in sweet victory; we can overcome. John said to those persecuted Christians in Revelation 14:13, “Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; for their works follow with them.” Paul having suffered so much for the faith (cf. II Corinthians 11:23ff), counted it “light affliction” when he considered the eternal tabernacle, built by God, eternal in the heavens (cf. II Corinthians 4:16-5:1). Facing death, with all conflicts past, he could say, “For I am already being offered, and the time of my departure is come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness …” (II Timothy 4:6-8). He could say with confidence, “The Lord will deliver me from every evil work, and will save me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be the glory for ever and ever. Amen” (II Timothy 4:18).

The victory belongs to those left standing after the battle is done. Through Christ we can stand entire at last.

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