TEXT: You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier (2 Timothy 2: 3,4).
A soldier’s life is one of inconvenience, complete obedience and suffering. The obedient soldier willingly suffers in battle. This may be our fate when we confront the sinner with the Biblical gospel and choose to live a godly life that is pleasing to the Lord (2 Timothy 3:12). A soldier may have to do without conveniences, sleep, meals and family relationships. We should be willing to make these types of commitments whenever the servant of God is required to.
The text tells us that these things are accomplished by not getting entangled with the affairs of this life. Those in the shallow, spoiled and prosperous American church will not normally have to make extreme sacrifices. At least, however, let us not put worldly possessions and pleasures of the season above the call of being a faithful soldier in the army of God.
Calvary Chapel of Richmond is a local fellowship of believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. Our supreme desire is to know Christ and be conformed to His image by the power of the Holy Spirit through the continuous study and application of God's Word.
