As we continue our thoughts about the impact of war and hostility on our lives, I want to consider some examples of people who were warriors today. I want you to see that there is no incongruence between those who serve our country or others and those with a more commercial type of position. While you may or may not see your work as something spiritual, we must never lose sight of the fact that there are spiritual implications for everything we do. So, let’s consider some high profile Biblical warriors.

First, let us examine the life of King David. God may have refused him the right of building the temple because he was a “man of blood,” (1 Chronicles 28:3) but he was more commonly known as “a man after God’s own heart.” In contrast, consider David’s son, Solomon. Next to Christ, Solomon was considered the wisest man of all time, but he did not have a warrior’s heart—a fact which showed up later in his life. “As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been.” So what accounts for the difference between these two men? I believe it was the warrior’s attitude—the reality of our fragile existence. Solomon may have been the epitome of wisdom in his earlier years, but David faced death many times, the experiences which enabled him to maintain a healthy respect and fear of Divinity.

David, unlike Solomon, did not have to try every pleasure available to mankind to realize that it all was meaningless and short lived. (Ecclesiastes 2) David may not have possessed Solomon’s wisdom, but he used a warrior’s outlook to become a man after God’s heart. When he sinned with Bathsheba, he accepted the consequence of the sin (their child’s death). He took life for what it had to offer and moved into the future with an attitude of acceptance (2 Samuel 12:18 – 23) and repentance. (Psalm 51:10 – 12) David was cognizant of his humanity, Divinity’s power, and his need for grace. He clung to his relationship with God and moved on without clinging to the past. No depression, no complaining – just repentance, a prayer for grace, and knowledge that God would protect him and his kingdom.

In Matthew 8 there is the story of the Roman Centurion. As an officer in command of over one hundred soldiers, his actions provide additional insight into how a warrior’s mentality provided the basis for Divinity’s blessings. The Centurion was well acquainted with, and placed his faith in the God of Israel. He even built the Jews a temple in Capernaum. However, he wasn’t sure Christ would hear him because he was a Gentile. So, he sent Jewish elders to ask Christ for a favor. As a warrior, he had respect for authority and he communicated that concept very clearly to Christ. Even today, warriors are trained to not question the reason for an order, but to simply follow the order.

The Centurion’s respect for Christ’s authority translated into a faith that actually amazed Him. The original Greek word employed to describe the Centurion’s awe for Christ is thaumazo, which means “to marvel at and admire.” The Romans knew power did not exist simply because a person was present, but because of whom the person was. This Gentile understood the principle that his obedience toward God was more important than his sacrificial works or giving. The respect for an individual’s position illustrated here is a foundational ingredient for our successful friendship with God.

Our last example of a Spiritual Hero displaying a warrior’s mentality is found in Acts 10. As it so happens, it is another Roman Centurion named Cornelius, the leader of the elite Italian Regiment. He was chosen to be the first, or one of the very first, Gentiles[1] to receive the Holy Spirit and New Testament Salvation. Cornelius was chosen because of his righteousness, generosity, and his healthy fear of God. As a Gentile, he could not enter the temple and worship with the Jews; however, he knew the God of Israel was the source of everything. His respect and fear generated righteousness and generosity, so Divinity rewarded that commitment.

The example of Cornelius is especially exciting because of how and why the revelation was communicated to him. Both he and Peter received the same vision at different times and while in different places. They were brought together by all three personages’ roles to expand the eternal Kingdom beyond the parameters of an Earthly race. Cornelius’ story illustrates, for all time, how the power of a healthy fear of God brings about a righteous lifestyle—even if you are not accepted by some believers. You can be blessed and counted righteous regardless of your classification or standing in the earthly Kingdom.

Love Dad