The Good Soldier

What Did He Die For

Twila Paris

He was twenty-one in 1944

He was hope & he was courage on a lonely shore

Sent there by a mother with love beyond her tears

Just a young American who chose to rise above his fears

And as I watch him struggle up that hill

Without a thought of turning back

I cannot help but wonder...

What did he die for?

When he died for you & me

Made the sacrifice

So that we could all be free

I believe we will answer each to heaven

For the way we spend a priceless liberty

Look inside & ask the question...

What did he die for?

When he died for me...

To the darkest day in A.D. 33

Came the mercy & compassion of eternity

Sent there by a Father with love beyond His tears

Blameless One, the only Son to bear the guilt of all these years

And as I watch Him struggle up that hill

Without a thought of turning back

I cannot help but wonder...

What did He die for?

When He died for you & me

Made the sacrifice

So that we could all be free

I believe we will answer each to heaven

For the way we spend a priceless liberty

Look inside & ask the question...

What did he die for?

He died for freedom

He died for love

And all the things we do to pay Him back

Could never be enough...

What did He die for?

When He died for you & me

Made the sacrifice

So that we could all be free

I believe we will answer each to heaven

For the way we spend a priceless liberty

Look inside & ask the question...

What did he die for?

When He died for me.

 The GOOD SOLDIER—2Timothy 2:3-4

Attention:

Twila Paris’—‘What Did He Die For’

Read 1st part regarding soldier.

Paul encouraged Timothy by explaining his expected level of personal commitment to his calling in Christ Jesus.

Paul described the expected level of personal commitment to Christ Jesus.

The level of commitment to fulfill one’s calling in Christ must mimic/equal/rise to/be comparable to/ that of a good soldier.

What rules does a good soldier live by?

1—The good soldier of Christ lives by the rule of...

ENDURANCE(:3)

:1

Paul had just informed Timothy of those who failed him personally(1:15) & of those who had “refreshed him”, namely Onesiphorus(:1:16-18).

Hence, Paul, in revealing the extremes of acceptance & opposition from those closest to us, calls Timothy to “be strong.” Timothy’s strength is centered in & can be found or rediscovered “in the grace” that is found “in Christ Jesus.”

?Why is “strength” found in “grace?”

Because only by God’s “grace” received in Christ is one able to do that which God calls the believer to be involved in. Thus “strength” needed to honor God’s desire in us is found in the rightful employment of His grace.

“Strong”—endunamow—To be strong, endue with strength, strengthen; To receive strength, be strengthened, increase in strength.

?Why is such strength needed by the believer?

:2

Those things which Timothy had “heard” from Paul—as an apostle—& publicly declared before many others, Timothy is to likewise entrust to others who themselves are capable of relaying them in their proper context(spirit, boldness, factuality, etc.).

Paul’s gospel must be shared. Paul’s gospel must be shared in a fitting manner by fitting people. The legacy of a pastor is to be carried forth in the fullness of God’s intent.

This also insinuates that others are not meant for the job as they must have ample sufficiency or be competent to teach.

“Be Able/Competent/Qualified”—ikanov—1) Sufficient—1a) Many enough, enough, 1b) Sufficient in ability, i.e. meet, fit. Strong—Competent (as if coming in season), i.e. Ample (in amount) or fit (in character):-- Able, + content, enough, good, great, large, long (while), many, meet, much, security, sore, sufficient, worthy.

1—The good soldier lives by the rule of...

ENDURANCE(:3)

Explanation: (:3)

:3—“You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”

If Timothy is to “be strong” in God’s “grace” found “in Christ Jesus”(:1) & also faithfully multiply the truths of the faith thru faithful men replicating it as teachers(:2), then Timothy “must endure hardship.”

The command to commit oneself to continual endurance is necessary for the multiplication & furtherance of the Gospel.

It is imperative to endure/suffer thru difficulties, coming thru them unscathed & yet even strengthened.

The believer is a soldier “of” Jesus who is the Christ(Messiah—anointed & promised of God for the deliverance of His people).

Not only is the believer a soldier, but he is expected to exhibit a certain quality of soldier. He is expected to be a “good” soldier.

This assumes that a believer can be a ‘bad’ soldier as well. In fact, the mere presence of this statement in Scripture, meant for encouragement, attests to the 2 possibilities.