A GOOD Soldier of Christ – 2 Timothy

 “^1b…BE STRONG through the GRACE that GOD GIVES you in CHRIST JESUS. ² You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now TEACH these TRUTHS to other TRUSTWORTHY PEOPLE who will be able TO PASS them on to OTHERS. ³ ENDURE SUFFERING along with me, AS A good SOLDIER of CHRIST JESUS.

⁴ Soldiers DON’T GET TIED UP in the AFFAIRS of CIVILIAN life, for then they cannot please the officer who enlisted them.

⁵ And athletes cannot win the prize unless they FOLLOW the RULES.
⁶ And hardworking farmers should be the first to ENJOY the FRUIT of their LABOR.

^7b…. THE LORD WILL HELP you UNDERSTAND all these things.

…^14b STOP FIGHTING over WORDS. Such ARGUMENTS are USELESS, and they can RUIN those WHO HEAR them….

…¹⁵ Work hard so you can PRESENT yourself TO GOD and receive HIS APPROVAL…. ¹⁶ AVOID worthless, FOOLISH TALK that only LEADS to more GODLESS BEHAVIOR. ¹⁷ This kind of talk SPREADS like CANCER,…
…^19b “THE LORD knows those who are HIS,” and “All WHO BELONG to THE LORD MUST TURN AWAY from EVIL.”
…²² RUN from ANYTHING that STIMULATES youthful LUSTS. Instead, PURSUE RIGHTEOUS LIVING, FAITHFULNESS, LOVE, AND PEACE. ENJOY the COMPANIONSHIP of those WHO CALL ON THE LORD with PURE HEARTS.”

 

Paul is pointing us here just a few things those who are soldiers learn in basic training but like me and many who aren’t soldiers learn by “the accidents” and bumps of life.  One thing for sure is the encouragement that the "soldier" Timothy is receiving, he's being reminded that in this journey he’s not alone, for we all have hardships in life, just like you and me today.  The enemy wants us to believe that NO ONE else in life is having it like us or as hard as us, so he get us down to be sad and depress so he can beat us up to death; for that's his job exposed on John 10:10. But by comparing our lives to that of a soldier who while in duty goes and get mingled up with civilian affairs displeasing this way his superiors, he’s making sure we understand that when we have been activated as soldiers of Christ, we’re on duty, and shouldn’t be interested in things that will get our focus off of the things of God. As soldiers of Christ, sometimes we feel threatened by outsiders who because of their lost condition will speak harsh words and looking to “reveal our true colors” will push us to the edge, but if we allow ourselves to go overboard it will harm us and our testimony. Paul’s goes furthermore as he says that the foolish talk will lead us to do ungodly things, and that it spreads like cancer!  And who, in their right mind, would call a cancer in their life? No one! Another detail he calls to attention is the things that stimulate lust, specifically youth lust, because in your youth you get to discover things you have never thought off, is like when a child gets a new toy, it brings excitement, and plenty of hours of “busyness” with it; to those he said RUN from those! And last but not least, he directs us to PURSUE the things that will last, and to enjoy those with others that like us are on duty for Christ.

For example, if you’re a bass player or a drummer, you get with other musicians so you can hangout and play together, so your music inclination gets polished, and as you do, you love it.  Paul is saying to us that we have to enjoy the company of our fellow soldiers, because in spite of our differences, we’re all imperfect people calling up to a PERFECT GOD who will answer our call, giving us the touch that will polish our life's and ultimately bring us to perfection.

So, be strong, not on your own, but on “Christ who strengths you!” Phil. 4:13