How serious is soldiership?

[GodsoldierClintus]

Hi,

I've read the whole thing on soldiership, it's actually sounds a very serious thing and so it should be. I'm not entirely sure I'm up to that standard and I don't think I'm ready, although some of my friends don't agree with me on that.

I know other soldiers don't take it as seriously, and I know a few people who don't follow some of the stuff required of a soldier and are still soldiers.

I guess my questions is, just how serious is soldiership and should you only take it on when you're ready?

 

[mac8]

I took it as vows for life and intend to live it that way, no matter how difficult it is at times to be in the Salvation Army. It is not for the fainthearted or people who are asking 'What is in it for me?'

If you really feel called, it is a vocation, and so stick with it through thick and thin. :0)

 

[BoazB]

God takes our promises to him and to others very seriously. Somewhere in the Scriptures it says, "God loves a man who keep his promises - even when it hurts".

As to whether you are ready or not for soldiership... let's put it this way: When the New Testament says "You are a new creature in Christ Jesus," it's like being tagged for the zoo as a new animal. We have been ear-marked by God to be that animal. We are already that animal, but we are also becoming more and more that animal...

Here is the interpretation: Don't shy away from the idea of becoming a soldier by saying that the standards are too high. Rather become a soldier, and become more and more, day by day, the soldier that God wants you to become.

Bless you abundantly

 

[GodsoldierClintus]

Thanks for those thoughts. I'm not worried about the standard being too high. I know I'll get there - eventually. Just not right now. Is it alright if I wait a little while?

 

[elm0]

I guess my questions is, just how serious is soldiership and should you only take it on when you're ready?

In my opinion Soldiership is very serious, not something to be rushed into, and not for every Salvationist either. I also don't believe it's something that we can really say whether or not we're ready for, it's really up to God to call individuals into soldiership when He knows it's the right time.

 

[elm0]

Thanks for those thoughts. I'm not worried about the standard being too high. I know I'll get there - eventually. Just not right now. Is it alright if I wait a little while?

Wait upon the Lord.

 

[Gwen'sMom]

I want to become a Soldier too. I have thought about it for many years. But, I go through periods of being absent from Sunday worship time. I just find it so hard to get there at times. I'm exhausted from the week or I just want to spend the morning with my husband (who isn't a churchgoer) and daughter. I feel so guilty about this. I pray and have my special times with Jesus and I read my bible during the week but getting my butt there on Sunday is hard. I guess they musn't think I'm all that intersted in becomming a Soldier...

 

[Kizza]

In response to what others have posted...

Yes, God does take our promises very seriously. However, it must be stated that the God we worship is also very serious about forgiveness.

First and foremost we are Christian Soldiers. Salvationism is one way through which we can achieve this. It is not the only way, though it might be the way for you.

The "S" on each shoulder stands for "Saved to Serve." Here in the Australia Eastern Territory our mission statement is...

Serve God

Save Souls

Grow Saints

Share with Suffering Humanity...

------------------------------------------------------

If you feel called to these things, perhaps you are ready to become a soldier.

I suggest, as I expect my fellow Salvationists at your corps would, to speak with your Corps Officer and be completely honest with them about the way you feel and any obstacles that may stand in your way. By doing this, you will be better able to work with your Corps Officer and he with you to make you the best Christian Soldier you can possibly be.

Whatever path you choose, I pray that it will bring you closer to Christ, and that God may have the opportunity to work through you and lead you where He may.

All blessings in Christ Jesus,

Kizza.

 

[GodsoldierClintus]

Thanks for that Kizza. I definately feel called, just need to sort out a few spiritual things before I think I'm ready

 

[Timyone]

I want to become a Soldier too. I have thought about it for many years. But, I go through periods of being absent from Sunday worship time. I just find it so hard to get there at times. I'm exhausted from the week or I just want to spend the morning with my husband (who isn't a churchgoer) and daughter. I feel so guilty about this. I pray and have my special times with Jesus and I read my bible during the week but getting my butt there on Sunday is hard. I guess they musn't think I'm all that intersted in becomming a Soldier...

mention it to your officor, they dont allways like harrassing every one about becoming soldiers, because some times it can get a bit much hey

 

[TheDag]

Thanks for those thoughts. I'm not worried about the standard being too high. I know I'll get there - eventually. Just not right now. Is it alright if I wait a little while?

Thanks for that Kizza. I definately feel called, just need to sort out a few spiritual things before I think I'm ready

It almost sounds as if you are waiting till you can reach the standard in the soldiership promises. I agree it is tough and very serious but I don't think you should wait till you feel you are ready. If God is calling you to do this then you should. If God is saying I want you to do this but not just yet then wait. Either way remember this We all fail and sometimes you might not meet the standards but I agree there is forgiveness and if you are doing your best to abide by them then that is good enough in God's eyes and should be in the army's as well. Some Corp leaders just automatically made these promises without thinking when they were younger because they grew up in the army and went from junior soldier straight to senior soldiers. Nobody explained what they were actually promising. As a result they can in my opinion sometimes over compensate in their approach to soldiership. This may have happened in you corps.

 

[GodsoldierClintus]

And you would know about my corps now wouldn't you Dag?

 

[Gwen'sMom]

Thanks Timyone, I will give them a call. I am feeling a lot of guilt right now because I have been away from the Corps. Just lazyness. But I want to be a Soldier so bad but based on my attendance it musn't look like it.

 

[GodsoldierClintus]

I'm away from my Corp for 6 weeks doing other things (like working for my charity in our campaign) but if you feel like you're called there's no reason why you shouldn't do it. Certainly no one asked me to become a soldier.

 

[BoazB]

Certainly no one asked me to become a soldier.

It certainly wouldn't be wiser to become a soldier to make another human happy.

Just a thought about waiting till "ready" - when are we ever ready ?

 

[BoazB]

Just thinking about it, this might be an encouraging thought: In other churches, when people are asked to make a promise, " Will you....?"

In answer they say, "With the Spirit's help, we will."

How true. We could never improve using our own "steam", but the Holy Spirit leads us into all truth, guides and develops.

Be blessed

 

[GodsoldierClintus]

I'm approaching exams and then going on a roadtrip. I think when I return I will be able to say whether I'm ready or not. It all depends on this stupid problem I'm having - this attraction I have to this non-Christian chic. It's fairly simple don't date her Clint, but yeah we're going to the movies together at some stage. After I get over this episode and there underlying faults behind it, I think I'll be ready.

 

[GodsoldierClintus]

Ready in the sense that I've somehow reached a level where I can say there are no obvious contradictions to what God wants of me...that said He'll probably pull me up something once I get to that level....argghghghgh

Okay I'll just become a soldier once I get back from the holidays.

 

[Abiel]

Hi,

I've read the whole thing on soldiership, it's actually sounds a very serious thing and so it should be.

No more or less serious than any committment to follow Christ.

I'm not entirely sure I'm up to that standard and I don't think I'm ready, although some of my friends don't agree with me on that.

Who's up to it? Not me for sure- yet here I am (that's grace)

I know other soldiers don't take it as seriously, and I know a few people who don't follow some of the stuff required of a soldier and are still soldiers.

I know other christians who don't take stuff seriously, and I know a few who don't follow some of the stuff required of a christian and are still christians. (that's grace)

I guess my questions is, just how serious is soldiership and should you only take it on when you're ready?

and my question is, just how serious is following Christ, and should you only do it when you are ready?

One day at a time.

 

[craig_on_fire]

Hi,

I've read the whole thing on soldiership, it's actually sounds a very serious thing and so it should be. I'm not entirely sure I'm up to that standard and I don't think I'm ready, although some of my friends don't agree with me on that.

I know other soldiers don't take it as seriously, and I know a few people who don't follow some of the stuff required of a soldier and are still soldiers.

I guess my questions is, just how serious is soldiership and should you only take it on when you're ready?

Yeah its pretty serious this covenant business. I would say that soldiership seems to be the closest thing to a monastic type of life. You are joining an 'Order' so to speak.

One of my biggest challenges with soldiership in the UK (I am one myself by the way) is that you can become a soldier at 14 which is BEFORE you are GENERALLY invited to parties and involved in the drink, drugs and sex business. I've seen so many go against their soldiership lifestyle because they didn't quite understand what it was they were getting themselves into or didn't see it as a problem (peer pressure is particularly rife here).

Now my reflection from that is: Do we need to think about age limits again? The problem with this though is that we all mature differently and our beliefs are not static, so the sally army runs the risk that its new soldiers may either not understand what a covenant is, or will choose to deliberately break it.

We need to work on discipleship in general (that's a whole another thing I've got a bee in my bonnet for!) and mentoring of our people who struggle with temptations to go against their covenant.

We need to work on our love and forgiveness of those who mess up sometimes. I'm pretty sure God forgives, so why can't we?

Forgiveness and accountability all the way in this camp.