3/9/16

Christian Code of Conduct for the Church Militant

I was talking with my friend Don last night about the concepts of the "Church Militant and the Church Triumphant". We had just spent a week studying Revelation 17 where John is shown what I call the "Doom of the great prostitute and the beast fulfilling God's Word". Revelation 17:14 says they will wage war with the Lamb, but he will triumph with his chosen, called and faithful. Don had served in the U.S. armed forces and was telling me about the Code of Conduct that was to help service men remember who they are when behind enemy lines or in the event of capture. He had developed a Christian Code of Conduct and shared it with his pastor and we had a wonderful time talking about what a Christian Code of Conduct looks like with it's Biblical support. So while we Christians on earth could be described as the "Church Militant" in heaven we will be the "Church Triumphant".

(Ephesians 6:19-20) Praying God gives me (his ambassador) the right words to boldly explain his plan of salvation is for all people.

 Church Militant: Christians living in the struggle against (not with) sin and spiritual forces of evil. (quick side note, some people are confused between "Irresistible sin" compared to "Sin not resisted", this is where I appreciate Paul's comparing the Christian faith to running a race and learning spiritual discipline (1 Timothy 4:7-8).


  • (Ephesians 6:12) - Not against people (flesh and blood)
    • Against evil rulers/authorities of the unseen world (powers of this dark world)
    • Against evil spirits (spiritual forces of evil)
    • For eternity (heavenly realms)
  • (Ephesians 6:13) - Therefore put on the full armor of God
    • When day of evil comes - YOU WILL BE ABLE to stand (because you have put on the armor)
    • Having done all, Stand (not fight or flight see Daniel 3)
  • (Ephesians 6:14) - Stand your ground
    • Secure in the truth (girded the belt of truth)
    • Super natural protective clothing (put on body armor of God's Righteousness)
      • Ephesians 1:1-3:13 - It comes from God
      • Ephesians 3:14-6:9 - How you know when you have it
    • (Ephesians 6:15) Prepared to preach (publicly proclaim, strongly advocate) the Gospel of Peace (John 3:16-21,33-36)
  • (Ephesians 6:16) - Additionally hold up your faith, take salvation and God's word with you
    • Faith protects against the devils attack (shield to stop/extinguish all the flaming arrows)
    • (Ephesians 6:17) Scripture memory is how we put on the helmet of Salvation
      • It protects our minds guards against false teaching
      • It reveals the truth missing in false teaching (counterfeit currency trying to buy salvation - we study the true currency found in the Gospel of Jesus 1 Cor 15:1-6; Matthew 5-7;John 3:16-21,33-36)
      • Like the military has the night vision goggles attached the their helmet, scripture memory allows us to see the enemy's movements in real time (John 8:44;2 Cor 11:3,14; Revelation 12:9; 2 Timothy 3:13; Matthew 24:24; Matthew 7:15; 2 Peter 2:1-3; 2 Corinthians 4:4), rather then waiting for the day when all will be exposed (Luke 8:17;Mark 4:22; Matthew 10:26)
    • God's word is the Spirit's sword
      • We've received the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13; 2 Corinthians 1:22)
      • Hebrews 4:12 - God's word judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart, like a scalpel for heart surgery. 
      • Be careful with the words you speak (Proverbs 13:3;15:28; Colossians 4:6; 1 Peter 4:11; Ephesians 4:25,29; James 1:26; Matthew 12:36)
  • (Ephesians 6:18) Persistently pray in the Spirit - "911 what's your emergency"
    • Connect in the Spirit (great equipment, fully charged battery, great reception, bill is paid, most importantly "someone's home",
    • Taking the metaphor further - know the purpose of the call
      • all occasions, every kind of request (supplication is the action of begging for something earnestly or humbly)
    • Learning to pray (little children repetitions to FBI - Frequent, Brief, Intense) 


 Some Favorite books on these topics:
Spiritual Disciplines for Christian living, Donald Whitney
On being a servant of God, Warren Wiersbe and it's companion On Being Leader for God Warren Wiersbe

Helpful links:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_militant_and_church_triumphant
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ephesians%206%3A12-14&version=NIV;NLT;nkjv;esv
http://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Satan,-As-Deceiver
http://faithseminary.edu/about-faith/biblical-code-conduct/
https://www.openbible.info/topics/speaking
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