Called to War: The Way of the Disciple
"Endure suffering along with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Soldiers don’t get tied up in the affairs of civilian life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them."
-2 Timothy 2:3-4
In the last post we discussed how suffering is the mark of a true disciple. In this post we will look at how being a soldier is another mark. This is how the Holy Spirit describes us:
1. Are you spiritually fit? "Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers." -1 Timothy 4:7-10
2. Are you spiritually fed? "Dear brothers and sisters,[a] when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people.[b] I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in the Christian life.[c] 2 I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready... There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. 12 You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word.[a] You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. 13 For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. 14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong." -1 Corinthians 3:1-2, Hebrews 5:11-14
> Are you on spiritual milk? Meaning you are in the basics of the Bible, what christianity is, understanding what true Christians faith is, and what God's will is.
> Are you on solid food? Meaning you are able to debate, and know things like Creation vs. evolution, You can do Spiritual warfare, the study of theology, and apologetics (why you believe what you believe). Deeper things are revealed to you. Take Acts 9:17-18 for example "So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized."
There are 5 points that need to be pointed out in our key verse 2 Timothy 2:3-4.
1. Endure Suffering. We discussed this in the last post. To be a soldier, we will suffer, blows will come against us. You can do it, He is with you, remember. An army of your brothers and sisters are with you too. We are called to be bold and strong. We cannot be so easily defeated. Press on!
2. Solider of Jesus Christ. Soldiers go through Boot Camp, for the Christian, this is church. We report for duty, and get instruction from those in command of us. There is a chain of command, God is at the top, and He places us under the authority of pastors and teachers who we must listen too, obey. God has given them instructions for us to follow. While God speaks directly to us, we have yet to know all our pastors and teachers can teach us.
3. Engaged in Warfare. We must remain God centered, this happens by denying self. This is where Satan fell. He got to into himself, and allowed pride to make him self centered. The only way we win war, and battle is if we are focused on the one giving the commands. We must always remember to put on the armor. I admit this is still a hard one for me. Ephesians 6:10-17 explains warfare, "10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we[a] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.[b] 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.[c] 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
4. Entangles himself. Are we set apart? Are we acting like soldiers? This too calls us to deny ourselves. When we become distracted at the affairs of this life we will be killed in war. The bigger issue becomes idolatry, things that take the place of God in our lives. This is a life long battle.
5. Satisfaction of the Commander. First and foremost God will never be satisfied until we are in relationship with Him. Until that happens none of this is applicable. We must receive the Word, then follow the Word. As James instructs us, "don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.(1:22)" Remember that all directions and instructions must be tested to keep us on the right path.
March onward, Solider. War is ahead, death is ahead, suffering, hardship, persecution. But do not fear, be strong in Him. Stand together, stand as one. Follow in His footsteps. Just a few more weary days, we're almost there. It's all for Jesus. Heaven is to gain, Jesus is worth it.
-2 Timothy 2:3-4
In the last post we discussed how suffering is the mark of a true disciple. In this post we will look at how being a soldier is another mark. This is how the Holy Spirit describes us:
"He is not his own. His time belongs to his Master, so does his body. He goes where he is told, he eats what he is given, he wears what is supplied. He has no will of his own, but is an implicit servant of the military forces. He studies the ways of the enemy, he finds means of defense from the enemy, and of offense toward the enemy. This should be true of every believer."Before we can go to war, there are a few questions we must ask ourselves. We can't go into war unprepared, we must know what is required of us.
1. Are you spiritually fit? "Do not waste time arguing over godless ideas and old wives’ tales. Instead, train yourself to be godly. “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come.” This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it. This is why we work hard and continue to struggle, for our hope is in the living God, who is the Savior of all people and particularly of all believers." -1 Timothy 4:7-10
2. Are you spiritually fed? "Dear brothers and sisters,[a] when I was with you I couldn’t talk to you as I would to spiritual people.[b] I had to talk as though you belonged to this world or as though you were infants in the Christian life.[c] 2 I had to feed you with milk, not with solid food, because you weren’t ready for anything stronger. And you still aren’t ready... There is much more we would like to say about this, but it is difficult to explain, especially since you are spiritually dull and don’t seem to listen. 12 You have been believers so long now that you ought to be teaching others. Instead, you need someone to teach you again the basic things about God’s word.[a] You are like babies who need milk and cannot eat solid food. 13 For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn’t know how to do what is right. 14 Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong." -1 Corinthians 3:1-2, Hebrews 5:11-14
> Are you on spiritual milk? Meaning you are in the basics of the Bible, what christianity is, understanding what true Christians faith is, and what God's will is.
> Are you on solid food? Meaning you are able to debate, and know things like Creation vs. evolution, You can do Spiritual warfare, the study of theology, and apologetics (why you believe what you believe). Deeper things are revealed to you. Take Acts 9:17-18 for example "So Ananias went and found Saul. He laid his hands on him and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road, has sent me so that you might regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Instantly something like scales fell from Saul’s eyes, and he regained his sight. Then he got up and was baptized."
There are 5 points that need to be pointed out in our key verse 2 Timothy 2:3-4.
1. Endure Suffering. We discussed this in the last post. To be a soldier, we will suffer, blows will come against us. You can do it, He is with you, remember. An army of your brothers and sisters are with you too. We are called to be bold and strong. We cannot be so easily defeated. Press on!
2. Solider of Jesus Christ. Soldiers go through Boot Camp, for the Christian, this is church. We report for duty, and get instruction from those in command of us. There is a chain of command, God is at the top, and He places us under the authority of pastors and teachers who we must listen too, obey. God has given them instructions for us to follow. While God speaks directly to us, we have yet to know all our pastors and teachers can teach us.
3. Engaged in Warfare. We must remain God centered, this happens by denying self. This is where Satan fell. He got to into himself, and allowed pride to make him self centered. The only way we win war, and battle is if we are focused on the one giving the commands. We must always remember to put on the armor. I admit this is still a hard one for me. Ephesians 6:10-17 explains warfare, "10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. 12 For we[a] are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.
13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. 14 Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. 15 For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.[b] 16 In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.[c] 17 Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
4. Entangles himself. Are we set apart? Are we acting like soldiers? This too calls us to deny ourselves. When we become distracted at the affairs of this life we will be killed in war. The bigger issue becomes idolatry, things that take the place of God in our lives. This is a life long battle.
5. Satisfaction of the Commander. First and foremost God will never be satisfied until we are in relationship with Him. Until that happens none of this is applicable. We must receive the Word, then follow the Word. As James instructs us, "don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.(1:22)" Remember that all directions and instructions must be tested to keep us on the right path.
March onward, Solider. War is ahead, death is ahead, suffering, hardship, persecution. But do not fear, be strong in Him. Stand together, stand as one. Follow in His footsteps. Just a few more weary days, we're almost there. It's all for Jesus. Heaven is to gain, Jesus is worth it.
I'm marching sister.....alongside of you!
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