Let's investigate the qualifications of spiritual warriors based on the examples of forefathers of faith who dwell near the throne of God.
Abraham Obeyed by Faith, Moses Was Humbler than Anyone Else
Abraham unchangingly believed the promise of God until the end. His trust in God was shown in his unconditional obedience to the Word of God.
When God told him to 'go forth from his country and his father's house', he obeyed and left his country (Genesis 12:1-14). When he and his wife were not able to conceive a baby, he believed the promise of God who said He would give a son and form a great nation through his descendants (Genesis 17). Even when God told him to give his son, who he had gained at the age of 100, he obeyed without comments or hesitation (Genesis 22:1-18).
God also trusted him. So in answer to Abraham's petition He changed His will concerning destroying the whole of Sodom and Gomorrah which were stained with sins and evil and decided to forgive the whole city as long as He found ten righteous men in the city (Genesis 18).
If you truly trust God, you will act upon the will of God in obedience. Then, you will be able to boldly ask for whatever you want and you will receive whatever you asked for.
Moses was very humble, more so than any other man who was on the face of the earth and he was faithful in all God's house, so God spoke with him directly (Exodus 33:11; Numbers 12:3, 7). He had no evil, harbored everyone, and loved even enemies that tried to kill him. He interceded on behalf of the Israelites who did not obey but stood against him and grumbled against God. He even asked God to blot him out from the Book of Life if it would mean the forgiveness of the Israelites.
God set up Moses as the leader of the Exodus and showed many powerful works through him. Thereby He demonstrated His love for him. When others grumbled against him, He considered it having stood against God and sternly warned them against it (Numbers 12).
Therefore, spiritual warriors obey the Word of God, cast off every form of evil, give out the fragrance of the Christ, are faithful in all aspects, and play the role of light and salt in all lives.
Elijah Led People Who Were Worshipping Idols, Enoch Sought only to Please God
Elijah had weak temperament, but as long as something was in the will of God he boldly preached it and showed the glory of God. When the people of God were corrupted in idolatry, he confronted 850 prophets of foreign gods to show the LORD is only true Deity. He brought down fire from heaven and brought the people of Israel back to God.
God walked with him and guaranteed him. When he prayed for it not to rain, the whole country was without rain and suffered from drought for three and a half years. When he prayed for it to rain again, it rained (1 Kings 18). When King sent the captain of fifty and fifty men to capture Elijah, fire came down from heaven and consumed them (2 Kings 1:10).
As Enoch enjoyed increasing goodness in his life, he wanted to know God all the more. He eagerly longed for Him. He sought how to please God all the time, tried to find how to communicate more deeply with God, and put what came to heart into action. He filled his heart with goodness and love and came to intimately communicate with God.
Although he lived long before Jesus came to the earth, he prophesied about the second coming of the Lord in Judah 1:14-15. It shows how deeply he communicated with God and how close he was to God even though he did not fulfill any great duty or manifest powerful works.
God loved this Enoch very much and wanted to keep him close to Him. After He walked with him on the earth for 300 years, He took him up (Genesis 5:21-24; Hebrews 11:5). Therefore, spiritual warriors communicate deeply with God, show the evidence of receiving God's love, and strongly and boldly proclaim the glory of God.
Apostle Paul Was Thankful for the Grace without Changing, Peter Was Martyred with Thankful Heart
After he met the Lord, Apostle Paul laid aside all he had including his fame, authority, and comforts, and regarded all his knowledge rubbish (Philippians 3:8). He unchangingly devoted himself to preaching the gospel. He was imprisoned many times and beaten with rods countless times, suffered in hunger, cold, and exposure. He underwent many sufferings and nearly died many times. Nevertheless, his heart of thanksgiving for the grace of the Lord did not change and his passion for the Lord never cooled down (2 Corinthians 11:23-28).
He gave himself to God without getting married, and he testified to God and established churches manifesting great power through all Europe and Asia.
Peter left his job and family and followed Jesus earnestly from the moment he was called by Jesus. However, he was caught by fear the night when Jesus was arrested and denied him three times (Matthew 26:69-75).
He thoroughly repented afterwards and was forgiven, but he regretted it so much. He eagerly preached the gospel and met martyrdom being crucified upside down. He felt joyful and thankful to take the suffering with love for the Lord who had forgiven and saved him and set him up as His apostle.
Only when you love God with your heart, life, mind, and strength can you become spiritual warriors who lead souls to God and extend the kingdom of God.
Let's pray with the Word realized in the Lord and ask for the works of the Holy Spirit. Then, God will enable you to become spiritual warriors (1 Thessalonians 5:24). Let's become spiritual warriors and achieve the providence of God.
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