Share in the suffering as a good soldiers of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 2 Timothy 2:4 ESV
What does it mean to serve? We refer to our service men and women as veterans who served our country, and for those individuals we are forever thankful. The sacrifices made by them can only be appreciated, for we will never feel what they have felt in the call of service. Note the first part of the word soldier in the verse above.… sold. When a soldier serves his/her country, they are sold out to the cause, or they will never be good at what they have been called to commit themselves to. The focus of the soldier must be upon their mission in order to accomplish it successfully. As Christians we are referred to as soldiers of the cross. Christians are active soldiers, never veterans, because there are no veterans in the Lord’s army. We all are referred to as “in active duty”. So as active duty soldiers in God’s army, how should we live as soldiers?
WE SHARE SUFFERING: One thing I am sure every soldier has at one time or another is suffering. What does that suffering involve? It involves longing at times to be home, the loss of a fellow soldier, the physical pain by stretching the body beyond its limits, and emotional and mental challenges. On this list could go and explained better by those who actually have experienced it as soldiers. As a Christian soldier, have you ever thought that Jesus might have experienced the same such feelings, not just at his crucifixion, but in life? We experience difficult times in life, but we do so remembering that Jesus has gone before us. We share in His sufferings by staying faithful to the upward call in Christ Jesus. I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:14 ESV
WE DON’T ENTANGLE OURSELVES IN THE WORLD: When in the battle, you want the person next to you to be focused on where they are; you should do the same. This is not a physical battle Christians are in but spiritual. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Ephesians 6: 11-13 ESV
WE DESIRE TO PLEASE GOD: Praying to God for all people is pleasing to Him because it is the means by which we can battle for the souls of men. First of all, then I urge that supplication, prayer, intercession, and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high position, that we may lead a peaceful and quite life, godly and dignified in every way. This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of truth. 1 Timothy 2:1-4 ESV
So march on Christian soldier singing the old hymn as you march… “Onward Christian soldiers marching as to war with the cross of Jesus going on before..…”
Because of His Grace ~ Pastor David
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