If we lack courage, the Lord has enough for us and to spare. We need only ask Him.

We must present our body a living sacrifice so we can prove the will of God. There is no time left for disobeying the Lord, for practicing sin—even our little sins. This is serious business. We must, if at all possible, fellowship regularly with fervent Christians. We must desire fervently the gifts and ministries of the Spirit of God.

The Lord Jesus is our Commander in Chief. He is to be obeyed strictly. The days of church foolishness are over. The tares of sin are coming to maturity. The amount of grace that has brought us this far is not sufficient now. More is needed and more is available.

No soldier of Jesus Christ entangles himself or herself with the affairs of this present life, the Apostle Paul advises us. This means that although we are in this world and have to work in this world, our heart is with the Lord. We are not consumed with the American way of life. We are not attempting to make a million dollars so we can retire and waste our time in a vacation trailer. We are to be on call every minute of every day, if we hope to be a part of the army of the Lord. For a Christian to live otherwise is to invite severe chastening from the Lord.

The thought of really practicing what the New Testament commands may be new to many of us. My suggestion is that each of us ask Jesus for ourselves and see if He really is demanding such radical changes at this time.

Now we ask ourselves, Why is it so utterly necessary that the Body of Christ come to maturity? Why do we have to train as soldiers in the army of the Lord?

We already have said the purpose for the return of Jesus Christ to the earth, according to the Hebrews Prophets, is to bring justice to the nations of the earth. If justice is to be brought to the nations, two works must be accomplished. The first work is the driving of Satan and all other workers of evil from the earth. The second work is that of ministering to the nations that were spared from destruction when the Lord appeared from Heaven.

Driving Satan from the earth. There are several passages in the Old Testament and some in the New that portray the coming of the army of the Lord to drive the influence of Satan from the earth. Such violent warfare must be waged before justice can be brought to the nations.

The following New Testament passage describes the Battle of Armageddon. This is the time when the Body of Christ appears with the Head to drive wickedness from the earth and bring justice to the nations. Here is the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, the blessed hope of all of us Christians.

I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. (Revelation 19:11-14—NIV)

To be continued.