A Good Soldier of Christ
Study Text: 2 Timothy 2:1 - 4
Introduction:
- Believers in Christ are in a spiritual warfare. The devil, the world, and the flesh are the real enemies confronting them.
- 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 to be in a bondage, and as a prisoner, you will be ineffective in warfare.
- Thus, we are called upon to be good soldiers of Christ, so that we can prepare for the battles with assurance of victory all the time.
- So, every believer needs to recognize that he is a soldier, and must understand his identity, his responsibility and his authority.
- We shall be discussing the topic under three subheadings:
1. The Call to be a Good Soldier of Christ
2. The Characteristics of a Good Soldier of Christ
3. The Conquest of a Good Soldier of Christ
1. The Call to be a Good Soldier of Christ
- 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?
- Our genuine conversions from sinners to saints, from darkness to light, automatically enlisted us as Kingdom Soldiers. Colossians 1:13.
1. It is a Call to be Dedicated
- We are called to be good soldiers of Jesus Christ. We are enlisted as His soldiers. We must therefore be dedicated to His cause.
- Those around us should have no questions about our loyalty as His soldiers.
2. It is a Call to 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 early 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.
3. It is a Call to 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.
4. It is a Call to 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 ensure 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 that we are in the Lord’s army, and as His soldiers we are earnestly contending for the faith once delivered to the saints.
2. The Characteristics of a Good Soldier of Christ
- Certain qualities should characterize a believer to be described as a good soldier of Christ.
1. Enduring Hardship
- Satan wants to destroy you physically and spiritually (1 Peter 5:8; Luke 22:31)
- We must stand our ground, depending on the overflowing grace of the Lord, when Satan attacks (1 Peter 5:9; James 4:7)
- God always provides a way to endure and escape being overpowered. (1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 11:24-26)
2. Focuses on His Task
- Beware of traps and entanglements along the way (2 Peter 2:20)
- The task must be prioritized and completed (2 Timothy 4:5)
3. Desires to Please His Commander
- God has given us a built in desire to want to do His will (Philippians 2:12-13)
- We must seek to grow and learn more of God and be ready to please Him at all times. (Colossians 1:10)
- We must exhibit faith in His plans and His commands (Hebrews 11:6)
4. Recognize your Identity and Authority
- As a soldier, your uniform gives you identity and assure you of the authority you have as a soldier. Luke 10: 19-20
- Our uniform is described as the whole armour of God, and we must put it on at all times. Ephesians 6 10-12.
3. The Conquest of a Good Soldier of Christ
- A good soldier of Christ is expected to be victorious all the time irrespective of the seriousness of the battle and the injuries sustained.
1. He must be Offensive
- He has to take the initiative by attacking and imposing his will on the enemy.
- This allows the commander to set the pace of the battle and to exploit the weaknesses of the enemy. Matthew 16:18
2. He must be Defensive
- Defensive action is usually adopted for a limited period of time as a secondary measure to allow the opportunity to take offensive actions.
3. He must be Skillful in the Usage of His Weapons
- Every believer must be Skillful in the usage of the Shield of Faith and the Sword of the Spirit after effectively putting on all the necessary protective weapons. Ephesians 6:17
4. He must Possess a Cooperative Spirit
- No soldier can win the battle alone. He needs the support and cooperation of other soldiers fighting for the same just cause.
- Cooperation involves the collective action and coordinated efforts of all the soldiers toward a common goal.
a. Good soldiers are not at war with one another.
b. Good soldiers come under one commander, the Lord Jesus Christ.
c. Good soldiers don't cooperate with the enemy. Cooperation with an enemy is not cooperation! It is treason!
5. He must have Access to Vital Information.
a. It involves accurate intelligence of the enemy's identity and strategy.
b. It involves continuous protection from the enemy.
6. He must Maintain Effective Communication
- Communication is a system for the sending and receiving of messages, intelligence, and supplies.
- Lines of communication with the commander and fellow soldiers must be kept open.
Conclusion:
- Every believer is called as a soldier of Christ and his expected to be engaged in a lifelong battle with the enemy through the grace of the Lord.
- Victory must be pursued to the point where the defeated enemy will never rise again.
- The Christian soldier must be aware that he is not fighting for victory, but he is fighting from victory to victory. Isaiah 54:17
- He must remain connected with the commander and do all things to please Him and to glorify His name.
