Wounded (Christian) Soldiers

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Are you a wounded soldier?

If so then take heart, because that means you stood for something.

If you stand for Jesus and the truth of the whole of God’s Word (the Bible), and for your Christian faith, then you will come under attack – both from within church circles and from secular society. And if we don’t stand for the truth of the whole of God’s Word then we’ll fall for anything – any shifting sand of church doctrine, or philosophy, the world throws at us.

Chances are if you have never been a wounded Christian then you have never been in the spiritual battle of the Christian faith, because the Christian life is a life of spiritual war.

Because to be a genuine Christian means that we are at war with sin, the world, and the devil.

In fact, the very first verse of the old hymn ‘Onward Christian Soldiers’ reminds us that we are at war:

“Onward, Christian soldiers,
marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
going on before!
Christ, the royal Master,
leads against the foe;
Forward into battle,
see His banner go!”

However, because we are an army at war, there are times in our life, and indeed in our Christian walk, that we feel like wounded soldiers. And while there should be comfort and safety in the midst of our churches and fellowships, the reality is often something very different.

Saint Augustine is reputed as saying: “The church is not a museum for saints, it is a hospital for sinners.”

Sadly though, it has also been said that the church is the only army that shoots, or crucifies, its wounded.

“The Christian army is the only army that shoots and buries its wounded…. We [also] leave them to bleed to death in the field” – Evangelist Freddie Gage.

Sadly, how often that this is indeed how Christians treat their sinning and straying ones!

Even the Church, that is to be a hospital for sinners, often becomes a slaughter house where the righteous? saints? butcher those experiencing personal failures – their fallen, faltering, or failing members.

Contrast the example of Jesus dealing with the ‘woman caught in adultery’ in John 8:1-11.

Or Jesus teaching about how to treat those who are lost and hurting as shown in the ‘parable of the lost son’ in Luke 15:11-32.

Jesus came for the lost, the hurting, the sick, and the outcast.

In fact, Jesus said: “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.” (Mark 2:17 NLT)

Are you a wounded soldier?

If you are then don’t quit fighting, for the enemy will kill off your faith if you do. Remember, a wounded soldier is still a soldier.

In fact, a wounded Samson brought down the Philistine kingdom.

And a wounded Saviour took down the gates of hell and plundered and conquered satan’s kingdom.

Always remember: “Being wounded is not the end; it is the beginning of a new frontier in battle” (Pastor Noel Masvosvere)

So if you feel like you are a wounded soldier, if you have been hurt by other Christians or the church at large, trust and lean on the promises of God, because only God truly knows your heart and your faith in Jesus. And know that you are not alone, there are many wounded soldiers in God’s army. Also know that if you hang in there in your faith, and trust upon God’s Word, then God will heal and restore you.

And you can take comfort in God’s promise:

“for He has said, ‘I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!” So we take comfort and are encouraged and confidently say, ‘The Lord is my Helper [in time of need], I will not be afraid. What will man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5-6 AMP)

And the words of Jesus:

“And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor – Counsellor, Strengthener, Standby), to be with you forever – the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive [and take to its heart] because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He (the Holy Spirit) remains with you continually and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans [comfortless, bereaved, and helpless]; I will come [back] to you.” (John 14:16-18 AMP)

This series continues in parts 2 & 3

Song: “ (I Am A) Wounded Soldier” by Danny Daniels/Vineyard (opens in a new browser tab)

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