Good Soldier

Sept. 28

Read: 2 Timothy 2:1-13

Good Soldier

“Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.” (v.3)

Our identity will determine what we get “entangled” in. It is a funny world - entangled. The picture is like a net or a spiders web. It has the sense of being “tied up” in something. Who we believe that we are will shape what we get “tied up in”. A soldier only gets tied up in what pleases his commanding officer… the one who enlisted him.

And so we see that in Christ, we are his “good soldiers”. It is the first of three ideas that Paul uses to describe our role as Christians here in 2 Timothy 2. What exactly does that look like? Here are 4 quick ideas to consider:

1.) We “share in suffering”

The way that a soldier “shares in suffering” is different than a civilian. The civilian expects comfort while the soldier embraces the reality of discomfort that comes with war. The soldier does not face this “suffering” alone though, in fact he “shares” in it. What does it mean to share? It is to be willing to take or receive. A soldier willingly receives and takes on suffering on the behalf of others… on behalf of those they fight for and on behalf of those they fight alongside. This is how we face suffering and take it on in Christ - as a soldier. Read this quote from *Greg Boyd:

“A soldier in battle conducts himself very differently from a civilian on vacation. The vacationer naturally wants to indulge his or her interests and desires, while avoiding inconveniences as much as possible. But soldiers understand they are called to sacrifice their interests and desires and suffer major inconveniences, if not their lives, to advance the cause for which they fight. The question every follower of Jesus must honestly ask is this: Do I live my life with the mind-set and values of a vacationer or a soldier?”

2.) We avoid civilian pursuits

What we “pursue”… actively move towards and seek out… is not the same as the “civilian”. We can’t get tied up in the sorts of things that tie up people who are not “enlisted” with us. They are a distraction. In fact, they are dangerous. If you function with civilian values as a soldiers you will get eaten up on the battlefield. Imagine a war zone… and in it a civilian who is ignoring the war and just walks out of their house in the midst of a battle because they are most concerned with something silly like going to the movies… etc. You will get hurt quick! This is why we must not get tied up in these civilian activities. This causes us to ask, “what are we entangled in”?

3.) We seek to please the one who called us

Our primary goal is to serve Christ. He has rescued us and called us to fight alongside him… to serve with him. This is the one whom we fight for. He is the King of kings and Lord of lords. So we ask ourselves, does this please the one who enlisted me?

4.) You have been “enlisted”

You have been intentionally called… you have been “enlisted”. The process of being a solider involves both being called and “accepted”. The Lord approves of you… he wants you to fight alongside him… to join the ranks. You have been chosen. You have been accepted. You have been equipped … given the armor / tools that a soldier needs.

It is an honor and privilege to “fight alongside you” for The King Jesus as a fellow soldier. May we “caste aside that which entangles us” and remain free from getting tied up in “civilian affairs” that don’t concern us as the “good soldiers” of Christ Jesus. This is the work that Christ is doing in and through us! Love you guys. - JDP

*Gregory Boyd; Understanding Spiritual Warfare (p. 151)