SPIRITUAL WARFARE: Sunday soldiers - reproach to Christ!

"Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth."

2 Timothy 2:15

Recently, I encountered the term "Sunday soldiers." Curious, I did an Internet search and discovered the term was quite popular during “the war between the states,” our own Civil War.

“Sunday soldiers” were understood by veterans of battle to be those who saw little or no action; they were also known as “kid glove boys” or “parlor soldiers.” The terms were used as insults or signs of contempt. To be publicly referred to by one of them placed you in the camp of the coward or labeled you as unpatriotic.

In an interview for The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in about 1918, Lot D. Young, a Rebel veteran of the Civil War, gave this testimony before his death:

“On the 22d of January following I was twenty years old - quite a youth you are ready to say. But I had been a soldier almost two years, being a charter member of that little band of ‘Sunday’ soldiers - the ‘Flat Rock Grays’ - and which constituted an integral part of what was known at that time as the Kentucky ‘State Guard.’ This little company of citizen soldiers were in their conceit and imagination very important and consequential fellows. Invited to all the noted gatherings and public affairs of the day, dressed in gaudy and flashy uniforms and flying plumes, filled with pride and conceit, they did not know they were nursing their pride against the day of wrath.” [“Documenting the American South: Reminiscences of a Soldier of the Orphan Brigade: Electronic Edition. Young, Lot D., b. 1842 © Copyright 1998 by the Academic Affairs Library, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]

In other words, they were all show and no go!

The church is an army, the army of God; and we are considered soldiers of the Cross. We are admonished to wear all the armor of God at all times; to be ready in season and out.

But today the visible church is pregnant with Sunday soldiers – the “Flat Bottom Grays” –which constitute an integral part of what is known as “Christian church.”

This little company of lay soldiers are, in their own conceit and imagination, very important and consequential Christians. Invited to all the committee meetings and socials of the day. Filled with pride and conceit, they don’t know they’re nursing their pride against the day of wrath. They are, when the bottom-line is reached, all show and no go! They are armorless and powerless.

Someone should tell them that those of the losing side in our war were also known as rebels.

Apostates, Christianity,
Illustrations, Religion

SOUL WINNING: Hellfire - The Pocket Version!

I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

2 Timothy 4:1-2

I’ve been told by friends there once was an evangelist in Texas called “Angel” Martinez. Evidently, he drew large tent crowds as a result of his many sportcoats; one for every color in Crayola’s big box of crayons. People would come from all around just to see what color of coat he’d be wearing that night.

Martinez was well-know to at least one deacon chair for something other than his wardrobe. The man had invited the soul-winner to dinner for one of his wife’s special Mexican dinners. Once the food had been served, “Angel” brought a bag of dried jalapeño chili peppers from his jacket pocket and crushed them on his food.

The deacon, mindful of appearances, asked if he could have some for his own plate. He sprinkled them as generously as seemed reasonable, and then dug in. As the story goes, he was soon in the kitchen drinking directly from the faucet.

Walking back to the dining room, red-faced and sweating profusely, he said, “Brother Martinez, I know you preach hell-fire and brimstone but I did not know you carried it in your pocket.”

We’d all do well to carry a little hell-fire and brimstone in our pockets; perhaps a little in our hearts wouldn’t hurt either.

Our societies are becoming increasingly permissive and rebellious; I personally think it is due to the incomprehensible biblical ignorance among our laity. There appears to be no hunger for the word because their faces are not red and foreheads not sweating … the problem? Same as in Paul's day: there’s no fear of the Lord!

Christianity, Evangelism,
Illustrations, Preaching, Religion

ILLUMINATION (Progressive) - A wonderful work of the Holy Spirit!

BOUNDING HOMEWARD! [2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Corinthians 2:12, 13]

In the movie Homeward Bound, “Shadow,” (a dog; Golden Retriever) leads “Sassy” (a cat; Persian Bi-Color) and “Chance” (a dog; American Staffordshire Bull Terrier) up a mountain to find their way home (they thought they’d been abandoned by their owners).

Shadow, the older dog, truly believes the mountain is the only thing in between them and home. When they reach the top they discover several more mountains ahead.

That’s how I feel as I study the things of God: no sooner do I mount one peak than I discover so much more remains to be learned. Unlike Shadow and his friends, I’m not disappointed or overwhelmed … I count it a blessing and a delightful challenge.