A Good Soldier
Adapted from T. Michael Crews
2 Tim.2:3-4
“One aspect of the Christian life is that it is a warfare against the forces of evil.”
(P399 Expositors Bible Commentary vol. 11)
I remember when I was a small boy that I was fascinated with soldiers. I played with little green army men, listened to Dad tell stories of the second world war he was in. I loved to dress up and play army (Get the pictures). I had the steel hat, inside liner, and jacket, etc. I loved playing soldier, but it is not the same as being a soldier. No one was shooting back, and I wasn’t really killing anyone. It was fun running through the woods pretending to shoot the enemy. If you kill someone they get up when the game is over. Those who have been real soldiers in a real conflict will tell you it is anything but fun. One aspect of the Christian life rarely addressed in American church is warfare against the forces of evil. It used to be a major topic of sermons and songs. The Hinsons sang:
I’m enlisted as a soldier in this mighty army band,
marching out to battle with my weapon in my hand,
heard the captain give the orders and they don’t include retreat,
We’re crossing o’er the border to a land of no defeat.
Now tell me who’s gonna fight and who is gonna win,
who’s gonna fight and who is giving in,
who will cry I surrender when the enemy you meet,
Or be a soldier in the army standing on his feet.
Upon this rock I’ll build my church then let ole Satan try,
but the gates of hell can not prevail, and here’s the reason
why, Jesus raised the flag on calvary made sweet victory complete,
and if we’re made more than conquerors then Satan’s more than beat.
Children’s Church Song.
I’m in the Lord’s army, I’m in the Lord’s Army,
I may never march in the infantry, ride in the calvary, shoot the artillery,
I may never fly o’er the enemy , but I’m in the Lord’s army.
Today, the T.V. commercials for the armed services tell us to “join up and have many wonderful experiences—and you can travel free and see the world—and even earn money for college.” Our calls to Christian soldiers sounds about as false.
I. BE A FIGHTER (v. 3)
When Dwight D. Eisenhower was President from 1953 to 1961, he received a letter from eight-year-old Keith Aiken of Trumbull, CT. Kevin wrote, “After listening to the news about the cold war, I am worried about the people in the world. In thinking it over, I have a plan. Get all the leaders together who want war, put them in a ring and let them fight it out.”
I’m sure there have been many soldiers and sailors who’ve been tempted to agree with Kevin Aiken. Just let those who want to fight, do the fighting! Don’t involve everybody else in it!
But the reality is that soldiers must do the fighting in a war. Even if you never go into combat, the military always trains you to be ready to fight when necessary. Even chaplains are trained to fight, though Bro. Boyd quoted one chaplain as saying If I go in with a gun, you guys are getting desperate!
When Paul urges Timothy to be …a good soldier of Christ Jesus…in vs. 3, one thing he is reminding him about is that we are in a war. This world is at war, not just in Iraq, but in the spiritual realm, between the forces of God and the forces of evil.
Ephesians 6:12-13 12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Paul is not just using flowery language here---the war he writes about is real. It’s going on right now, in the lives of every one of us here. Some of us are fighting against temptations that try to defeat us and drag us down with guilt. Some of us are warring against discouragement and depression. Others of us are fighting to hold on to our faith in Christ, praying and doing all we can not to give in to doubt and unbelief. Some of us are fighting for our loved ones in prayer, pleading for their salvation, pleading for them to come to Christ. Thee battles will not be won by faint hearts, but by brave soldiers who are ready to fight for the Lord and for those they love. This fight will not be won by the strongest arms, or the best missiles—it will be won by those who keep praying, keep believing, and never give up the fight until God gives the victory.
You are but a poor soldier of Christ if you think you can overcome without fighting, and suppose you can have the crown without the conflict.- Saint John Chrysostom
God is looking for good soldiers. Can He count on you? Can He depend on you to be faithful in prayer, to fight and keep fighting until the battle is won?
On February 19, 1945, Marines landed on the beaches of Iwo Jima, fighting by inches to secure a beachhead. After four days of knock-down-drag-out battle, they finally cleared the southern end of the island, climbed Mount Suribachi, and planted a US flag. The commander wanted a larger presence on Suribachi to encourage the Marines still fighting at the northern end of the island, so he ordered a larger flag raised. It was the raising of that larger flag that Joe Rosenthal caught in a famous photograph honoring the good soldiers who were fighting for victory in the Pacific.
A good soldier is a fighter that you can depend on to keep fighting until the victory is won. Are you that good soldier? Can Christ depend on you to keep fighting, even when you feel weak, even when you’re tempted to give up? Can you family, your friends, your church, depend on you to be a good soldier who is willing to get on your knees and fight until God gives the victory? The Lord is looking for good soldiers who are fighters, not quitters. He is looking for you to be a good soldier for Jesus Christ.
But Paul also reminds us a good soldier for Christ
II. BE FOCUSED (A Soldiers service must be Concentrated Service )(v. 4a)
Being a good soldier involves being focused
Once he enlisted on a campaign he can no longer involve himself in the ordinary daily business of life and living; he must concentrate on his service as a soldier. (Barclay p159)
The Roman Code of Theodosius said “We forbid men engaged on military service to engage in civilian occupations.” (Barclay p159)
As a soldier is a soldier and nothing else, and so a Christian soldier must concentrate on his Christianity and nothing else. Michael Redd
He will still have to live in the world and do tasks and business in the world, but he must use whatever task he is engaged in to demonstrate his Christianity.
Soldiers were not even allowed to marry during their term of service, and were to be strictly devoted to their service for over twenty years; only about half survived to retire.
(P626, Bible Background Commentary NT)
During the Civil War, Major Sullivan Ballou wrote a letter to his wife to whom he had been married only six years.
My Very Dear Sarah: The indications are very strong that we shall move in a few days -- perhaps tomorrow. Lest I should not be able to write again, I feel impelled to write a few lines that may fall under your eye when I shall be no more ...I know…how great a debt we owe to those who went before us through the blood and suffering of the Revolution. And I am willing,
perfectly willing, to lay down all my joys in this life to help maintain this Government and to pay that debt...Sarah, my love for you is deathless…yet my love for country comes over me like a strong wind and bears me irresistibly on, with all these chains to the battle-field…If I do not (return), my dear Sarah, never forget how much I love you, and when my last breath escapes me on the battle-field, it will whisper your name. Forgive my many faults and the many pains I have caused you. How thoughtless, how foolish I have often-times been...Sarah, do not mourn me dead: think I am gone, and wait for me, for we shall meet again...
SullivanMajor Ballou was killed one week later in the first battle of Bull Run.
For a good soldier to say yes to his duty, he must often say no to many other things.
Paul reminds Timothy that a good soldier of Jesus Christ must be focused, that is, he must not allow himself to be distracted by other things as he fights this spiritual war. He must ..endure hardship… and not allow himself to become entangled …with the affairs of this life…
He’s not saying other things don’t matter. He’s not implying that good soldiers forget about everything earthly. What he is saying is that a good soldier of Christ keeps always keeps his eyes on what is eternally important. He is focused on how things truly are, not as they sometimes seem to be.
This is a habit that has to be intentionally developed. You can’t always look at how things appear, you have to focus on seeing them as they are.
You see it’s all on where you focus your mind and heart. Yes, you have to go to school, you have to work for a living, the kids have to have shoes, the check book has to be balanced—you have to live in this world. But don’t keep your focus on this world—keep your focus on what is eternal, not just on what will be important tomorrow, or ten years from now, but on what will be important 10,000 years from now.
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Aim at heaven and you get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither. - C. S. Lewis
That is the attitude of a good soldier of Jesus Christ—living on earth, but focused on heaven. But one more thing, Paul says, about a good soldier is that he/she must
Michael Redd, former Buckeye basketball star, now a All-Star NBA player for the Milwaukee Bucks, was in Las Vegas for the All Star game. It was the perfect place to indulge in the party life. Casinos were to his left, nightclubs bouncing into the wee hours were on his right, and everything else was in between. So what was the dead eye lefthander doing to celebrate the moment? “ I’m in my room playing some dominoes, and beating up on my man Rick Davis,” Redd said with a chuckle. As a Christian soldier he was focused on what his commander and chief wanted. (Sports Spectrum interview p 42 Nov-Dec 2007)
III BE OBEDIENT
A Soldier is conditioned to be Obedient. To take orders.
The early boot camp training is designed to make the soldier unquestioningly obey the word of Command. There may come a time when this instinctive obedience will save his life and the lives of others.
The soldier does not have “to know the reason why”, he only has to obey the command. In the midst of the battle, he cannot see the over-all picture. So he must learn to leave the decisions to the commanding officer who sees the whole field.
The Christian soldier must also learn to obey the voice of God, his commanding officer, and accept even that which he cannot understand.
IV BE WILLING TO SACRIFICE
Jesus requires all of his followers to take up the cross if they are going to follow him. They must die to self will and self rule, and must surrender unconditionally to his control. They must give up their rights to him. This must happen so they can sacrifice themselves, their dreams, their all for him, and for the good of others. Willing to give your life for the commanding officer, and your fellow soldiers.
Two weeks ago the news program Good Morning America, did a week-long series on our military—the soldiers, sailors, and airmen that protect this country—and the technology they have to use to accomplish their mission. I have to tell you, I was very impressed.
The main thing that impressed me is the dedication of these people. We have a professional army now—no draftees—and we have reserve soldiers, which include seasoned veterans, some 30 years old and older.
The program showed an interview with female soldier who had been called up. This woman had a 4 year-old son, and when she was called up, she had to leave the child with her mother or sister. Her husband was a soldier as well who had also been called up. Both were both being sent to Kuwait and as the interview continued, a picture of her child was shown and the woman had tears streaming down her face.
The interviewer asked the woman, “If they gave you a chance to say “No” about coming here to Kuwait, would you have said no?”
The woman replied, “I would not have said “No”, because I’m a soldier, and protecting my son’s future is why I’m here.”
V. BE FAITHFUL (v. 4b)
A young second lieutenant at Fort Bragg discovered that he had no change when he was about to buy a soft drink from a vending machine. He flagged down a passing private and asked him, "Do you have change for a dollar?" The private said cheerfully, "I think so, let me take a look." The lieutenant drew himself up stiffly and said, "Soldier, that’s no way to address an officer. We’ll start all over again. Do you have change for a dollar?" The private came to attention, saluted smartly, and said, "No, sir!"
One of the most important lessons you learn in the military is how to take orders. But the good soldier learns an even more important lesson: always be faithful to your commanding officer. Paul describes this attitude to Timothy when he says a good soldier of Jesus Christ is committed to pleasing the One who enlisted him as a soldier.
Who enlists us as soldiers in this spiritual war? Christ Himself. He calls us to follow Him, to lay down our lives for Him and for one another, to obey Him not just out of duty, but from a heart of love.
He died not just to give you a ticket to heaven, but to enlist you as a good soldier in His army, to mold you and empower you to be a soldier who lives to please Him. He enlisted you to be a faithful soldier.
Are you a faithful soldier? Can Christ depend on you to obey orders---even when you don’t feel like it? Even when you don’t understand? Can He count on you to march in step with Him, even when everybody else is taking a detour?
Or are you an unfaithful soldier---one day doing what He says, the next day acting like a deserter. Do you follow Him only when it’s convenient, only when it’s comfortable, only when you want to?
A good soldier of Christ is always faithful to His Lord. That is the difference between victory and defeat in your life and my life. Where is Christ calling you to be more faithful—to be a good soldier?
Conclusion:
At the SBTC, Dr Jim Richards gave this challenge to the messengers, I cannot preach as Dr Richards, but I offer the same challenge…
I am a soldier. Here I stand.
I am a soldier, a prayer warrior, of the army of my God.
The Lord Jesus Christ is my Commanding Officer.
The Holy Bible is my code of conduct.
Faith, Prayer, & the Word are my weapons of warfare.
I have been taught by the Holy Spirit, trained by experience, tried by adversity, & tested by fire.
I am a volunteer in this army, & I am enlisted for eternity.
I will either retire @ the Rapture or die in this Army; but I will not get out, sell out, or be talked out.
I am faithful, capable, & dependable.
If my God needs me, I am there.
I am a soldier, a prayer warrior. Here I stand. I am not a baby.
I do not need to be pampered, petted, primed up, pumped up, picked up, or pepped up.
I am a soldier, a prayer warrior. Here I stand.
No one has to call me, write me, visit me, entice me, or lure me.
I am a soldier, a prayer warrior. Here I stand. I am not a wimp.
I am in place, saluting my King, obeying His orders, praising His name & building His Kingdom.
I am a soldier, a prayer warrior. Here I stand.
No one has to send me flowers, gifts, food, cards, candy, or give me handouts.
I do not need to be cuddled, cared for, or catered to.
I am committed.
I cannot have my feelings hurt bad enough to turn me around.
I cannot be discouraged enough to turn me aside.
I cannot lose enough to make me quit.
When Jesus called me into this army, I had nothing.
If I end up with nothing, I will still come out even.
I will win. My God will supply all my needs.
I am more than a conqueror. I will always triumph.
I can do all things through Christ.
I am a soldier, a prayer warrior. Here I stand.
Devils cannot defeat me. People cannot disillusion me.
Weather cannot beat me. Sickness cannot stop me.
Battles cannot beat me. Money cannot buy me.
Governments cannot silence me & hell cannot handle me.
I am a soldier, a prayer warrior. Here I stand.
Even death cannot destroy me.
For when my Commander calls me from this battle field,
He will promote me to a captain & bring me back to rule this world with Him.
I am a soldier, a prayer warrior, in the army of God, & I’m marching. Claiming victory.
I will not give up. I will not turn around.
I am a soldier, a prayer warrior, and marching heaven-bond.
Here I stand!!!
Will you stand with me???
