The Signs of the Times
August 30, 1905
Soldiers of the Cross
The work of soul-saving is to be carried forward by aggressive warfare, in the midst of opposition, peril, loss, and suffering. The life of a Christian is compared to the life of a soldier. “Thou therefore endure hardness,” Paul wrote to Timothy, “as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” ST August 30, 1905, par. 1
Soldiers engaged in battle have to meet difficulties and hardships. Coarse food is given them, and that often in limited quantities. They must make long, weary marches, day by day, over rough roads and under the burning sun, camping out at night, sleeping perhaps on the bare ground, with only the canopy of heaven for a covering, exposed to drenching rains and chilling frosts, hungry, faint, exhausted, now standing as a target for the foe, now in deadly encounter. Thus they learn what active service means. ST August 30, 1905, par. 2
The idea that Christ's followers can be excused from the conflict, meeting no trials and at all times enjoying the comforts and even the luxuries of life, is a fearful mistake. The Christian life is a battle and a march, calling for aggressive warfare, perseverance, and endurance. It is not mimic battles in which we are engaged. This is no make-believe conflict. We have most powerful adversaries to meet. Those who serve under the blood-stained banner of Prince Emmanuel will be given difficult work, which will tax every power of the being. They will have painful trials to endure for Christ's sake. They will have conflicts which will rend the soul. But if they are faithful soldiers, they will say, “Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” ST August 30, 1905, par. 3
“I have fought a good fight,” Paul declared. His words to the Corinthians describe the conflict that he endured: “In all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watchings, in fastings; by pureness, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, by the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left, by honor and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; as sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things.” ST August 30, 1905, par. 4
Not all who enter the army can be generals, captains, sergeants, or even corporals. Not all are called to bear the care and responsibility of leaders. There is hard work of other kinds to be done. While there are but few officers, it requires many soldiers to form the rank and file of the army; and its success depends upon the fidelity of every soldier. ST August 30, 1905, par. 5
An army would be demoralized if the soldiers did not obey the orders of the leader. They must act in concert. Union is strength; without union efforts are meaningless. Whatever excellent qualities a soldier may possess, he can not be safe and trustworthy if he claims a right to act independently of his fellow comrades. This independent action can not be maintained in the service of Christ. The soldiers of the cross must move in concert. ST August 30, 1905, par. 6
He who enters Christ's army must obey His orders. He has placed himself under the Saviour's leadership, and he is to give Him willing obedience. He is to speak no word, perform no act, that would misrepresent the high and holy principles by which the kingdom of heaven is to be governed. ST August 30, 1905, par. 7