SCRIPTURE: 2 Timothy 2
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. [2 Timothy 2:3]
This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained. [2 Timothy 2:8-9]
The good news sure comes packaged in bad news – suffering, chained like a criminal – how can this be good news?
Paul is equipping and encouraging Timothy to face the inevitable struggle and battle that he will face for believing and living the message of Jesus.
There will be opponents, tricked by Satan into resisting the message and persecuting its messengers [2 Timothy 2:25-26].
As Jesus-followers, we should not be surprised at this; on the contrary we should expect it and prepare for it!
If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. [John 15:18-19]
Sometimes I wonder if we have redefined ‘christianity’ to remove the tension and conflict with the world.
Have we tamed ‘following Jesus’ into something that the world can ignore, something that is personal and private to us, and has no affect on those around us?
If we really followed Jesus as He intended, would we face for tension and conflict?
Where does the battle lie for us?
Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work. [21]
God has called us not just to be saved, but for a special purpose.
If we are living out that special purpose, I suspect we will face more conflict.
If we are living according to God’s priorities, sacrificing and serving in the spirit of Jesus, standing up to injustice and speaking out for the oppressed, will not the world take notice?
We are not called to be annoying or obnoxious, but we are called to be selfless and gracious and honest and moral – and if we do this, people will see it and react to it.
Some may be drawn to it, but others will resist it, and often it will be people in the church, those who have a ‘tame, respectable christianity’ that does not upset the status quo.
God’s message is not chained, but I sometimes wonder whether His followers are – not like Paul, chained for the gospel, but chained from the gospel.
Chained to a tame christianity, a worldly faith that is comfortable in the world, acceptable to the world.
Today I sense the Lord calling me back to a life of special purpose, like a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
The words of a hymn come to mind:
Am I a soldier of the cross, a follower of the Lamb,
And shall I fear to own his cause, or blush to speak his name?
Must I be carried to the skies on flowery beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize, and sailed through bloody seas?
Are there no foes for me to face? Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace, to help me on to God?
PRAYER:
Lord, am I a soldier of the cross. If I am Your follower, then yes I am. But am IO a good soldier of the cross. Ahh, that is the question.
Am I a soldier of Jesus Christ? The invite is found in verse three. The soldier or the athlete does what is good and follows the orders or the rules. So must I. And doing the work of a soldier and/or the athlete takes work/effort and that effort will also cause pain. But the athlete/soldier goes for the gold, giving his/her best to finish well.
I too am God’s champion and I too must strive well for the goal – the purpose to which He called me. As His champion I strive to grow wherever I am placed with the equipment He has given me to enable me to present Him through my actions and doings. As His champion I am a living example – a living witness – a living letter – leading others in the knowledge of truth.
Help me Lord on my way this day being Your Champion. Thank You Lord for all what You have done for me.
Am I a soldier of the cross,
A follower of the Lamb,
And shall I fear to own His cause,
Or blush to speak His Name?
Must I be carried to the skies
On flowery beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed through bloody seas?
Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
To help me on to God?
Sure I must fight if I would reign;
Increase my courage, Lord.
I’ll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word.
Thy saints in all this glorious war
Shall conquer, though they die;
They see the triumph from afar,
By faith’s discerning eye
When that illustrious day shall rise,
And all Thy armies shine
In robes of victory through skies,
The glory shall be Thine.