Theologically speaking, what's the more dominant image for the Christian - soldier or son?
Are we soliders of Christ who also happen to be children of God?
Or are we children of God who also happen to be soldiers of Christ?
Here are some clues: What is God's fundamental identity if not 'Father of our Lord Jesus Christ'? What is Jesus' fundamental identity if not Son of the Father? How does Jesus teach us to pray - 'Our Commanding Officer in Heaven'?
Remember: Soldiers don't become sons on account of their soldiering. But sons do become soldiers on account of their sonship.
So, what are you fundamentally - a soldier or a son?
And do you know it?
Does this photo represent your spiritual life?
What exactly are you playing at?
What is the more dominant model of the Christian life pushed in your church / small groups / preaching / Christian circles?
Practically speaking, how do you front up to God in prayer?
Soldier or son?
How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! (1 John 3:1)
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Since becoming a dad, it has struck me more and more how awesome it is to call God Father and, meditating on that has made me be a better dad.
In fact, when I told a Christian friend of mine that my wife was pregnant, he slapped me on the back and said "Congratulations. I hope you realise the view your child forms of the Fatherhood of God will be affected by what you're like as a father." And then he walked off... But it was a good lesson.
"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom his whole family [footnote: or whom all fatherhood] in heaven and on earth derives its name." Ephesians 3:14-15.
p.s. One example of a lovely outworking of meditating on the Father's love for us is what Randy Alcorn (I think) said of stumbling on Zephaniah 3:17b when he was at a low point. The scripture says:
"He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."
and he said sees it like God singing lullabies over his child in a cot.
Balm!
Welcome to the blog "Dominic" :)
What a fantastic image. I have heard also that Jewish bridegrooms sing to their brides, (though you always wonder about the extrabiblical contexts that you are so confidently told about). If you've ever seen "Rachel Getting Married" there's a great scene where the groom sings to his bride. Nice!
I am very glad to receive this post.really very nice.Your questions are really very good that they really force to think on it in a very spiritual manner.This is really very true that Soldiers don’t become sons but son's surely become Soldiers.When it comes to our prayers we also need to think that how can we create the image of that Higher power how we feel His existence in us..Just love the post.Thank you so much for sharing it with us..
Blessings...