Воин Христов

The king’s decrees, announced to his subjects, are impressive, but his orders to the soldiers are more impressive and more regal. Therefore, as to the proclamation of military orders, let the one who desires a high and great rank, who wants to always be a companion of Christ, who hears these great words: whoever serves Me, let him follow Me, and where I am, there will My servant also be heeded (John 12:26). Where is King Christ? Of course, in heaven. The procession should be directed there too, warrior. Forget all earthly peace. Not a single warrior builds houses, acquires fields for himself, or interferes in various purchases to increase property. No warrior binds himself to the affairs of this life in order to please the commander (2 Tim. 2:4). The warrior gets his food from the king; he does not need to get food himself, or even worry about it. Everywhere the tsar's subjects have a house open for him by the tsar's command; he does not need to put in any effort about the house. He has a tent on the wide road and food as needed, and water to drink, and as much sleep as nature has given; many campaigns and vigils, patience in both heat and cold, battles with opponents, extreme dangers, death is encountered many times, but a glorious death: he has both honors and royal gifts. His life is difficult in times of war, but bright in times of peace. As a reward for valor and a crown for a good life in exploits, he is entrusted with the leadership, he is called a friend of the king, has close access to the king, is honored to touch the royal right hand, accepts distinctions from the hand of the king, rules over his subordinates and intercedes for external friends, for anyone. So, warrior of Christ, having taken for yourself small examples of human deeds, think about eternal blessings. Designate for yourself a homeless, non-social, non-covetous life. Make yourself independent, renouncing all worldly concerns, so that neither the lust of your wife nor the care of children binds you, because this is impossible for one who is militant to God. The weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty in God (2 Cor. 10:4). Let not your bodily nature conquer you, let not constrain you against your will, let not make a prisoner out of a free person. Do not worry about leaving your children on earth, but raising them to heaven; do not cleave to carnal marriage, but strive for the spiritual, give birth to souls and raise children spiritually. Imitate the heavenly Bridegroom, overthrow the uprisings of invisible enemies, fight with the principalities and powers (Eph. 6:12), expelling them first from your soul, so that they have no part in you, and then from the hearts of those who resort to you, making you the leader and protector of those protected by your word. Put down thoughts that rebel against the faith of Christ. With the word of piety, fight the ungodly and evil thoughts, for it is said: with them we overthrow ideas and every high thing that rises up against the knowledge of God (2 Cor. 10:4, 5). Most of all, trust in the hand of the great King, which, as soon as it appears, brings fear and puts those who resist to flight. If He wants you to show valor in danger, and when He wants to lead His army into battle with the army of the opposing forces, then here too be irresistible for any work in the militia, unshakable in soul in the midst of danger, willingly moving from land to land, from sea to sea. For it is said: when they persecute you, flee from city to city (Matthew 10:23). And when the need demands to appear in court, to appear before the rulers, to endure the attacks of the crowd, to see the terrible gaze of the executioner, to hear his stern voice, to endure the painful sight of the instruments of execution, to undergo torture, to struggle to the point of death - do not lose faith in all this, having before the eyes of Christ, who endured all this for your sake, and knowing that for the sake of Christ you too must endure evil. And you will win, because you follow the victorious King, Who wants you to become a participant in His victory. Even if you die, you will not be defeated, but then you will win the most perfect victory, keeping the truth unshakable and the boldness for the truth unchanged to the end. And you will pass from death to eternal life, from dishonor among people to glory with God, from sorrows and torment in the world to eternal rest with the Angels. The earth did not accept you as its citizen, but heaven will; persecuted by the world, but the Angels will carry you to introduce you to Christ, and you will be called a friend and hear the most longed-for praise: “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (Matthew 25:23), good warrior, imitator of the Master, follower of the King, I will reward you with My gifts; I will listen to your words, because you also listened to mine.” You will ask for the salvation of your toiling brethren and, together with those who share the faith, the mysteries of sacred love, you will receive the sacrament of blessings from the King. You will rejoice with eternal rejoicing, you will appear crowned among the Angels, under the power of the King, reigning over creation and blissfully eternal 27 in the face of bliss. If, even after your exploits, he wants to leave you still in the world, so that you can perform a greater number of varied exploits and save many from invisible and visible battles, then your glory on earth will be great: you will be honored by friends who will find in you an intercessor, a helper and a good prayer book. Some will nourish you as a good warrior; others will honor him as a courageous warrior; others will greet and greet with joy, receiving, as Paul says, as an Angel of God, as Christ Jesus (Gal. 4:14). Such and similar are the examples of God’s warfare. This word does not apply to only husbands. In Christ, the female sex is also at war, included in the army according to spiritual courage and not rejected for bodily weakness. And many wives distinguished themselves no less than their husbands; There are others who have become even more famous. Such are those who fill the face of virgins, such are the confessions shining with the exploits and the victories of martyrdom. And at His coming, not only men, but also wives followed the Lord Himself. Both served the Savior. Since such and so glorious are the rewards prepared for those who fight in Christ, let fathers desire this war for their sons, and mothers for their daughters. May they bring those born to them, enjoying the eternal hopes that their children will share in, and desiring to have intercessors with Christ and good prayer books. Let us not be cowardly in the judgment of our children, let us not be afraid if they become troubled, but let us delight ourselves in the fact that they will become famous. Let us dedicate to the Lord those given by Him, so that we too may be partakers in the glorification of our children, when together with them we bring ourselves and dedicate ourselves to the Lord. To people who are so zealous and who labor so beautifully, another can say in the words of the Psalmist: blessed are you by the Lord, who made heaven and earth (Ps. 113:23), and following the example of Moses, he will pray for them: bless, O Lord, his strength and the work of his hands, smite the loins of those who rise up against him and those who hate him (Deut. 33:11) (5). Eternal - spending eternity. You might be interested in: