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GOOD SOLDIERS OF CHRIST
2 Timothy 2:3-5
Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 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. And if a man also strives for masteries [yet] is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.
WHO IS A SOLDIER OF CHRIST?
A soldier of Christ is a servant, a disciple or a child of God who is aware of what it entails to follow and obey Jesus Christ without any restraint and is willing to comply with all rules and principles of the game.
To become a soldier of Christ, it requires peculiar qualities. It imposes peculiar duties. To be a soldier implies exposure, contest, and difficulty. To be a good soldier also implies courage, fidelity, and success.
Let us consider some of the attributes of a good soldier of Jesus Christ;
1. A good soldier has made a final CHOICE of the service in which he is engaged.
A good soldier of Christ has enlisted for warfare. It is the choice he made. He is not ashamed of his uniform, of his duty, of his officers, or of his cause. He glories in the stand which he has taken. He participates in every triumph. He rejoices over all its success. Psalm 15:4, Luke 9:62
2. A good soldier must have true COURAGE to contend the enemies of Christ. Joshua 1:6
A soldier of Christ has enemies who invariably happened to be the enemies of Christ. He must continually contend if he must conquer at last. These enemies are temptations around, that would lead him away, or drive him back from Saviour. Evil tendencies and habits of thought within, that would entangle and harass him. – Eph. 6:12, 2Cor.10:3-6
3. A good soldier must ENDURE HARDNESS.
A soldier has much to bear–sometimes very much. He must endure suffering without murmuring. His power of endurance is often the very means of his victory. The warfare, in which he is engaged, may require him to bear much. It may be long and very trying. But his mind must be fixed and strengthened to bear even to the end. His Leader, the Captain of the host, goes before him. He has endured the cross and despised the shame.
Heb. 12:2, 2Cor. 4:16
4. A good soldier must NOT ENTANGLE himself with the affairs of this world.
A good soldier is focused and would not allow anything to distract his attention from his primary assignment. He continuously frees himself from civilian affair so as to be mindful of the attack from the enemies. – 1Peter 5:8
5. A good soldier has a HOPE OF TRIUMPH.
He never loses hope. He fights not as uncertainly (1Cor. 9:26). He is saved and strengthened by hope. In all human contests there is great uncertainty. But in our warfare there is none. Our Captain has already triumphed. We follow him to the fruits of his own victory. We are sure of success by his power. Phil. 4:13, Rom. 8:37
6. A good soldier must seek to PLEASE HIS COMMANDER
The will of his master he will do. He carries out his duties with sense of responsibility. Soldier of Christ carries out his assignments just as specified. He is one of the great army of the living God. He is engaged in a most important warfare. He has set up his standard unto God. He must press on through all opposes, to his glorious end. He will be made a conqueror through the Lord Jesus Christ, who gives him the victory. Are you such a soldier of Christ?
PASTOR FEMI ATODE
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