The Soldier
“You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops.” – 2 Timothy 2:3-6.
Paul calls us to be good soldiers of Christ, but how does a good soldier behave in Christ? Paul describes the good soldier as a soldier who focuses on the things that are of value and importance to him. Not one that gets involved with meaningless distractions. Therefore, as soldiers for Christ, stay focused on Christ not getting wrapped in the things of the flesh and the world. Stay focused on the spirit and walk according to it.
“I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.” – Galatians 5:16.
When Peter was walking on water with Jesus, his focus was on Jesus. However, when Peter took his eyes off Jesus and started looking and focusing on the storm, the waves, and the winds. That is when he sunk into the water. You need to have a focus that is as focused as a laser beam. If you take the rays of the sun and put them through a magnifying glass, the rays get more focused on one certain point which can produce so much heat and power on that one point. In the same way, magnify your focus onto Jesus so that your whole focus is on Him, the point, because your focus will then be more powerful. The soldier’s focus is on his king and the king’s command to protect the people in his kingdom. They serve to protect them with their lives. Jesus was like a soldier too because he served and gave his life so that he may save his people and establish the Kingdom of God. Now, Jesus is our King and we are his mighty soldiers. We fight against the enemy to protect and help His people and we take a stand for our King, Jesus. Soldiers are also equipped and ready for battle. They have armor and weapons. As soldiers for Christ, we have the armor of God. (Ephesians 6:13-18) Now, we face our enemy rather than running away. We stand firm. The only way you become vulnerable is when you turn your back out of ignorance and fear of the enemy because then he will strike your back. You are given a breastplate, not a backplate. Lastly, the scripture mentions that the soldier desires to please the one who enlisted him. Jesus enlisted us as His people and His soldiers. A good soldier is known for their obedience. They are obedient even to the point of death. They would die for their kingdom. Just as Jesus was obedient to the point of death for His Kingdom and His people, we are to be in that same mindset. How far will you go for God?
“By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” – 1 John 3:16.
There is no greater honor than being willing to give it all for Jesus and the Kingdom, even your life. This verse doesn’t just mean physical death but one of the bigger meanings is that we are to give up what the flesh desires and wants for another because that is love. Love is putting others above yourself. It is putting someone else’s needs above your own desires regardless of how inconvenient it is. Jesus also told us there would be persecutions and challenges in this life when we live for Him. Stand for Him regardless of the cost. Don’t deny Christ but be obedient even if it costs you all for that is what a good and mighty soldier would do for his king.