2 Timothy 2:3
“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
Every Christian needs to realize that when they got saved they entered a war. Throughout the Pauline epistles, you see Paul stresses the importance of being aware of the war they fight. The verse above is one of those verses. Paul challenges Timothy to be a good soldier. In order to be a good soldier, Paul lays out several things for Timothy to do.
First, a good soldier recognizes for whom they are fighting. If you are going to be a good Christian soldier, then you must realize this battle you are in is about Christ. You will not be a good soldier when you make the battle about men. We are not fighting men, but we are fighting the Devil. Our battle is to defend Jesus Christ.
You must be careful that you don’t make the battle about your preacher or yourself. Your preacher may be a good man, but he is a soldier as well. I find many Christians today forget that they are serving Jesus Christ and they get wrapped up in their pastor or a man. I believe you ought to love your pastor, but your battle is about Jesus Christ.
Furthermore, the battle is not about you. Again, many Christians involve themselves in the Christian life to see what they can gain from it. You must realize that people may attack you, but you must not take it personally because you are simply wearing the uniform of a Christian, and that is why you are attacked. Don’t get wrapped up in making everything about you.
Second, a good soldier must endure hardness. You will notice that the verse above did not say to avoid or run from hardness, but endure it. In other words, it’s not easy to serve the LORD. There are going to be times when you must go through hard times and keep fighting for the LORD. When health has left you, endure hardness as a good soldier. When people attack you, endure hardness as a good soldier. When you feel like quitting, endure hardness as a good soldier. Whatever your hardness is, endure it.
Third, a good soldier will not get entangled in that which is not the battle. Verse 4 says, “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life;…” Friend, don’t get so wrapped up in this world that it pulls you from what you are supposed to be doing. A good soldier must not get so wrapped up in making money that they forsake the battle. A good soldier must not get entangled in the hobbies they enjoy. This verse is not saying you can’t do these things, but it’s saying don’t be entangled, or so intertwined in worldly affairs that they hinder you from fighting the fight of faith.
Fourth, a good soldier will try to please Jesus Christ. Verse 4 continues to say, “…that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.” God is the One Who chose you to be His soldier. That means the only one you should try to please is God. Stop trying to please man and please God. Stop trying to be recognized by man, and strive to make God happy. A good Christian soldier wants God to be pleased with their life.
Are you a good Christian soldier? Could God look at you and commend you for how you fight His battles? Every day ask God to help you to be a good soldier for Him.