When I was a three year old kid in Cuba, a famous war movie, “Bridge on the River Kwai,” came out. I can still whistle its theme song which has become an enduring classic.
God is the God of the breakthrough, and there is a Bridge on the River Kwai which every Christian must march across to get to it.
The passage is one faith and exact obedience to the voice of the Spirit.
It only comes as a spiritual march.
Ro 4:12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also “(stoicheoo)”in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
Ga 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us “(stoicheoo)”in the Spirit.
Ga 6:16 And as many as “(stoicheoo)”according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
Php 3:16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us “(stoicheoo)”by the same rule (canon), let us mind ( focus) the same thing.
“(Stoicheoo)”, is to proceed in a row as the march of a soldier, to go in order, and walk orderly. It is to walk in the steps of a soldier. To be in line with something. To conform to a standard or a set of canons. To function or advance in military rank.
The fighting power of the hoplite phalanx depended on the individual soldier “being [firmly] in line “(Stoichoos)” (cf. Xenophon Cyr. vi.3.34; Lycurgus Leocrates 77)
Ga 5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us “(stoicheoo)”in the Spirit.
Christians who say to live in the Spirit, must walk in the military ranks of the voice of the Spirit.
Walking by that voice is a step by step obedience to God’s will.
Ro 4:12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the circumcision only, but who also “(stoicheoo)”in the steps of that faith of our father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised.
The true faith models itself around the ordered military steps of Abraham’s faith as he obeyed the Lord. So the walk of faith is a military walk!
What fashioned Abraham’s faith? He left his parents, comfort and country, to obey God and travel into what is Israel. He lived in tents and would have killed the one son through whom all was promised.
God does not always call us to what Abraham did, but does to his same attitude of heart.
God directed my family to forsake homes and property three times around. Forsaking is not in what one does but in the willingness of heart. One can give, but do it grudgingly. That is not forsaking.
Are we willing to forsake all for the sake of God? Can we walk in Abraham’s military steps of faith?
If we would be used in revival it comes in a military walk.
The Spirit’s breakthrough evolves in a continual stepping out to the deep, out of the mental box, and be a fool for Christ, if need be.
Revival work is done by those who have forsaken all earthly reputation for glory and the false security of being politically correct.
Spiritual warfare in westernized nations fails not in physical lack, but in the passivity and complacently which the abundance of these things creates.
The devils’ bombardment through entertainment, electronic gadgetry, and idols of comfort, are diametrically opposed to the military walk of faith. It has produced a dumbed down society.
In many ways the church of Africa suffers from less spiritual warfare than that of western nations.
We feel sorry for Africa’s condition, while African Christians feel pity for us.
With disbelief they look at what the American church has allowed the enemy to encroach upon their nation.
2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
It’s not too late for Western Christians to arise. Resource wise, the American church has more than enough to extraordinarily impact the globe.
The walk of breakthrough is one of a soldier, thus Paul penned these words.
In 2014, let the Western church arise as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Let the church cross The Bridge on the River Kwai.!
2Ti 2:3 You therefore must endure hardship, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.
2Ti 2:4 No soldier on duty entangles himself in the affairs of life, that he may please him who enrolled him as a soldier.
Jose and Mary Alvarez 