The effectiveness of an army depends largely upon thorough training; hence a prominent feature of military life is the drill. First, the recruit is drilled in individual movements and the handling of arms. Then there is "squad" drill – a few recruits drilled together, in which uniformity of action is inculcated. Then comes company drill, regimental drill, and brigade maneuvers. All this is essential in order to be ready for action at any time. There is a certain amount of ammunition always on hand, and arms and accouterments (personal equipment of a soldier) are kept in order and readiness. All this is because the secular government, in its final resort for support, is dependent upon force – physical force.
The church of Christ is also an army, and to be effective must needs have drill. Every one is exhorted to be a "soldier" of the cross, and this implies exercise in the work of the Gospel. Emergencies arise in the onward march of the Lord's host, and often much ground is lost because His professed soldiers are not prepared for them. They have not been drilled in the use of the armour peculiar to the service. The emergency finds them all absorbed in the world's pursuits, and many of them better prepared, and even more willing to continue such enterprises. For this reason, the emergencies that arise, the crises that spring up suddenly, are regarded as calamities rather than opportunities.
In every great disaster it is always the temporal things that are shaken, always the transient, destructible wealth that is damaged or destroyed. It is always the world that receives the blow. And the world's disasters are always the opportunities for God's army to win victories. But just so far as they are following in the wake of the world's interests, so far as they are involved in the doings of the world, just so far the world's disasters will be their disasters. But in proportion as they are really enlisted in God's army, and are trained for His service in the use of His weapons, to that extent the world's discomfiture is the signal for a forced march to victory. Judah's captivity even was a grand opportunity for missionary work among the heathen, and it was possible for her to return to a grander, stronger, and more glorious people than ever before. What was lacking? Only a thorough training in the use of the armour of God.
Too often those who profess to be soldiers of Christ have thought to fight His battles with the world's weapons, using the world's armour and adopting the world's policies. Thus they are led by the world instead of the world being led or influenced by the true ways pointed out in God's infallible Word. While we may learn a lesson from the world's policy of drilling its armies and being ready for whatever may arise, we must remember that our soldiers should be prepared for a different kind of warfare, must be drilled to the use of different weapons, and trained for a far different service. When Peter essayed (proposed to accomplish) to defend the cause of Christ with a sword, the Master said, "Put up again thy sword into his place; for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword." The apostle Paul also gives us the true principle of Christian warfare: "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds."
Again Paul tells us very distinctly what is the only and sure defense to which the Christian may resort: "Take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching there-unto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints."
All this implies the need of earnest training in the use of the impenetrable armour prepared for us by our all-wise Commander. And not only are we to be trained to the use of the weapons that are not carnal, but we are able to be ever on the alert for opportunity, and quick to discern what God would have us do when the world is discomfitted by any of the vicissitudes (changes) to which it is liable at any moment. No event is possible to mankind, while probation lasts, that may not be turned to the advantage of the Gospel of Christ, if His professed people be awake to the opportunity and ready to step into it.
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