A good soldier of Christ

2 Timothy  2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  2:4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.

Without war or  threat from the outside, there won't be a need for a nation to have the services of soldiers to secure its domain. Soldiers are known for  keeping peace, fighting against the enemy and ensuring the security of the citizens. 

As a believer in Christ, we are employed as the soldiers of Christ, fighting against the powers of evil and principalities that exist in darkness and higher places. Ephesians  6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Christians are in a spiritual warfare. The devil, the world, and the flesh are real enemies. These spiritual enemies are out to destroy the testimony and effectiveness of the believer. The enemy will seek to take you out or make you a prisoner of war. Thus, we are called upon to be good soldiers for the war.

How can we be good soldiers of Jesus Christ? What does it take for us to be soldiers who are victorious in the spiritual conflict?

First, We Must Be Dedicated

We are called to be good soldiers of Jesus Christ. We are enlisted as His soldiers. We are dedicated to His cause. The flag we wave is the flag of Heaven. Those around us should have no questions about our loyalty as His soldiers.

Second, We Must Be Durable

Paul told Timothy to endure hardness. Enduring hardness means we should not allow ourselves to become easily discouraged. It means we are prepared for conflict at all times of the day: in the wee hours of the morning or late in the night. It means we should not back down from the threats of the enemy. It means we will not allow the casualties around us to make us quit. A good soldier does not think about quitting!

Third, We Must Be Deliberate

Paul said, “No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life.” A good soldier is not distracted by all the things going on in this life. His focus is to represent the Lord Jesus well in the conflict and to make sure He wins. Distractions could result in being hit by a fiery dart of the wicked one. Distractions could make us the target of a spiritual assassin. Distractions could cause us to turn our backs and become vulnerable to satanic attacks.

Fourth, We Must Be Delightful

Our number one priority as soldiers is to please the Lord! God is most pleased with us when we follow our orders, we are diligent at our post, we are vigilant as watchmen, we are loyal to our cause, we fight to win, and we are steadfast at all times.

Being a good soldier requires effort. We must realize that we are not called to be part time soldiers. We do not wrestle with, “Flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12).

Let us go onward and forward for the cause of Christ! Lift His royal banner and do not let it suffer loss. Let it be known we are in the Lord’s army, and as His soldiers we are earnestly contending for the faith once delivered to the saints.

God bless you.

Prayer key:

1. Lord, thank you for the blessing of today in Jesus Christ name.

2. Lord, give me the grace to fight for you till the end in Jesus Christ name.

3. Lord, hel me not to give up the fight, endow me with your full weapons of the spirit in Jesus Christ name.

4. Thank you Lord for answered prayers in Jesus Christ name. Amen.