A military officer had a conversation with his pastor. He had just been deployed to a new location but not yet attached to a battalion. The pastor jokingly said, ‘You’re at a state of enjoyment and freedom.’ The officer’s response communicated a kingdom truth: ‘Sir, I’m not enjoying. Not being attached to a battalion is dangerous.’ He understood that true freedom is in being righteously bound.
Friend, true freedom is in being righteously bound somewhere (Matthew 11:29-30). Maturity in the physical is seen in independence. But maturity in the kingdom is seen in dependence. We must continually be dependent on God and on godly structures and relationships (John 5:30, 15:5). It is not a sign of weakness. It is a sign of strength.
An average soldier understands the importance of being under authority. No wonder the centurion was able to get Jesus to work. He understood authority, and he enjoyed the blessing of kingdom authority (Matthew 8:8-10). What about you? Do you understand kingdom authority? Are you under authority? Do you just walk around without being attached to a godly structure somewhere?
Since we are described as soldiers, we need a battalion for accountability, safety, and effectiveness (2 Timothy 2:3). The local church is our battalion. Just as you cannot claim that you belong to the Nigerian army without identifying with a battalion, you cannot claim you belong to the kingdom without identifying with a local church (Psalms 68:6).
The kind of Christianity where you are not attached to a local church but claim to be doing something serious for God and the kingdom is questionable (Jude 1:8-19). No soldier goes to war without the sending and backing of the army through the battalion. Paul and Barnabas were sent and backed up by the church at Antioch (Acts 13:1-3). Who and where are you joined to?
The people you think are living free are actually in bondage (Luke 15:11-17). They are in bondage to their weakness, limitation, ignorance, and arrogance. If God has graciously placed you in a righteous relationship and community, treasure it (1 Timothy 3:15). Don’t be deceived into seeking independence. You need accountability, safety, and effectiveness. Stay joined to your kingdom battalion. Amen.
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria