Army of God vs Body of Christ

1-8-2024

Army of God vs Body of Christ

I grew up in and around “the church” in Southwestern Idaho where we called ourselves Christians were considered the Body of Christ or the Army of God (interchangeably). We sang “Onward Christian Soldier” as we marched off to war against the ultimate enemy of God – the Devil where missionaries, evangels, ministers & prophets front line, foot soldiers in the spiritual war going on since Adam and Eve. Taking it even further those who came to the salvation knowledge of Christ we refer to as “Born Again” are “Saved” (by the grace of God, through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross at Calvary).

For all these many years that is how I have felt and how I saw myself, saved by the grace of God, not of works that any man could boast. Even “pew sitters” who come to church regularly and occupy OUR seats, sing OUR songs and worship OUR God – OUR WAY at least have our ticket “punched” and are just awaiting the rapture (Jesus’ second coming) or for God to call us home. We are saved by faith, OUR faith in Jesus Christ as the Only Begotten Son of the Living God, who died on the cross for our (yours and my) sins. True Christianity is freely given, to be freely received and costs you nothing, while requiring from you everything.

It is not until recently while reading Mark Taylor’s book “The Trump Prophecies” that he explains how he has come to see a distinction between the Army of God and the Body of Christ. In his book he uses military terms from WWII to make those distinctions.

“The Body of Christ……..is like individuals in boot camp, where they are trained and nurtured until mature enough for battle. When promoted, they then also become part of the Army of God. The Army of God is a force to be reckoned with, made up of the mature, progressive members of the Body of Christ who are ready for battle and empowered with God’s authority.”

All too often we see new believers who want to shout it from the rooftops, go out and make new believers (by force if necessary) or they have been saved for a period and feel led to go onto the highways and bi-ways or into bars and nightclubs to publicly declare their faith and bring “sinners” to Christ, without God’s authority. They do it by their own understanding.

Mark says it thusly,

“On D-Day, some of the men had been out in their boats for three days, and were seasick before they ever hit the beaches. The Body of Christ is metaphorically on those ships right now. ……focused on the storm, being tossed about and they are seasick – unable to advance to the beaches.”

“Others……are on the landing craft, no longer seasick……heading toward their goal….then they see obstacles…..become frozen with fear and unaware of their own capabilities…..unable to move forward.”

“Then we have the Army of God. Those members of the body of Christ who have actually landed and are not focused on the storm. They’re on the beach, taking ground, and holding that ground. They see where needs are and step into those gaps. They are rallying to the cause and pressing in, no matter what. That’s the difference.”

We are told look up, to keep our eyes on Jesus and when we fail to stay focused on Him, we basically become the “frozen chosen” unable to do what God has intended us to do.

Mark says, “If you are taking ground, press in. If you are stuck at an obstacle, look around you and get help. Don’t retreat. Take ground and hold it at all costs, and understand that no matter how unqualified you may feel, God can and will use you. NOW IS THE TIME! Advance! Do not retreat.”

“God speaks to everybody differently….. Give them the message, and if they don’t listen, do not get involved in ungodly warfare, such as arguing…….. Those who are making conflict within God’s Army….are spiritually dead and God will deal with them in His own timing….. There are too many people….., the walking wounded, some of whom have even been injured by the Church. These will listen to the message, but more importantly, they will act on it.”

“Don’t be discouraged in this: Not everybody you try to reach will listen. You may not be the specific person they’ll be willing to listen to. The person coming behind you might reap the harvest of seeds you planted……. Just keep your eyes on the task before you and let Him take care of the rest”

The following is a contract agreed upon by believers as a commitment to God, their pledge to Him.

“Declaration of Unity

I, _____________, in the name of Jesus, decree and declare, according to Matthew 18:19, that I will be in unity with my brothers and sisters in the Army of God and all the forces of Heaven. That I will support and defend the Word of God and His army, with all of Heaven, against all enemies from the Kingdom of Darkness, even unto supreme sacrifice.

I will not fire upon those in the Army of God, but will direct my fire upon the enemy, and the enemy alone. I will protect my brothers and sisters in God’s army, from any assault that the enemy may launch. I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, on and off the battlefield.

I will obey the orders of the Supreme Commander of the Army of God, and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to Ephesians 4:11, the Government of God, and the uniform regulations founded on God’s throne of righteousness and justice. I decree it and declare it on earth as it is in Heaven. So be it. Amen.”

“Can you agree to these terms today? Will you not only be part of the modern-day Church, but stand up to be a part of God’s Army? Will you graduate from the waters to the landing craft and proceed toward shore? Will you heed the words that the Lord has given and begin to prepare for the battle of D-Day that lies ahead in the spiritual realm.”

These portions of Mark Taylor’s book “The Trump Prophesies” have given me a new outlook and understanding of what it means to be an active soldier in the Army of God.

From past experience I’ve been in recovery after having gone from being a committed Christian, saved by God’s grace, volunteering to fill needs and having risen all the way up in responsibility over a local church real estate until I totally burned out doing “God’s work” in my own strength. I am gaining a new sense of responsibility and purpose with each new day. I would rather stand alone with God than in the midst of all creation rising up against the Creator. – RTM