Becoming a Christian Warrior

ByMatt Fitzwater

Today marks the 39% milestone in our yearlong trek through the Bible. As I read, a theory starts to take shape: We must align our hearts with the perfect heart of Jesus by balancing four distinct dimensions: the heart of a teacher, the heart of a healer, the heart of an artist, and the heart of a warrior. Today, I want to focus on the warrior.

Today’s reading in 1 Thessalonians 5 highlights the qualities of the Christian warrior. In verses 6-8, Paul calls us to remain alert, clearheaded, and well protected by the armor of faith and love, while wearing our confidence in salvation as a helmet.

‘So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded. Night is the time when people sleep, and drinkers get drunk. But let us who live in the light be clearheaded, protected by the armor of faith and love, and wearing as our helmet the confidence of our salvation. ‘
1 Thessalonians 5:6-8

We belong to Jesus

As warriors who love Christ the King, we must put the King’s will above our own and be ready to lay down our lives for our King. I need to stay on my guard, stay alert, pray continually, and find joy in keeping my heart fixed on Christ the King. The King’s perfect will should be my primary objective.

‘Always be joyful.  Never stop praying.  Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.  ‘
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Dear Heavenly Father, Your will be done in our lives, help us to stand guard, be mindful of our actions, and how we respond to others’ actions. Holy Spirit, thank you for guiding our Christian Warrior path. Steer our thoughts, words, and actions; align our hearts with Christ, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

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