J.C. Ryle: The True Christian is a Soldier of Christ

"Every professing Christian is the soldier of Christ.  He is bound by his baptism to fight Christ's battle against sin, the world and the devil.  The man that does not do this breaks his vow.  He is a spiritual defaulter.  He does not fulfill the engagements made for him.  The man that does not do this is practically renouncing his Christianity.  The very fact that he belongs to a church, attends a Christian place of worship, and call himself a Christian, is a public declaration that he desires to be reckoned a soldier of Jesus Christ.

"Armor is provided for the professing Christian, if he will only use it.  'Take unto you,' says Paul to the Ephesians, 'the whole armor of God.'  'Stand, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness.'  'Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.'  'Above all, take the shield of faith' (Eph. 6:13-17).  And, not lest, the professing Christian has the best of leaders: Jesus the Captain of salvation, through whom he may be more than conqueror; the best of provisions, the bread and water of life, and the best of pay promised to him, an eternal weight of glory.

"The one point I want to impress upon your soul just now is this, that the true believer is not only a soldier, but a victorious soldier.  He not only professes to fight on Christ's side against sin, the world and the devil, but he does actually fight and overcome.

"Now this is one grand distinguishing mark of true Christians.  Other men, perhaps, like to be numbered in the ranks of Christ's army.  Other men may have lazy wishes and [unhurried] desires after the crown of glory.  But it is the true Christian alone who does the work of a soldier.  He alone fairly meets the enemies of his soul, really fights with them and in that fight overcomes them."