A good soldier of God (2 Timothy 4:7)
Glory be to God!!
A good soldier of God
"I have fought a good fight, i have finished my course, i have kept the faith." 2 Timothy 4:7
Among the three things in a Christian life the foremost important thing is fight the good fight. The literal people of Israelites are the shadow and example for we the spiritual Israelites, it is said in the two scriptural portions for they went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt. In Exodus 13: 17-18 though the people of Israel were harnessed yet having war with Philistines lest peradventure they repent and return to Egypt therefore God led them not through the way of the land of the Philistines instead led them round about through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea. Secondly, in Exodus 14:8 it is said children of Israel went out with an high hand, Pharoah with his army pursued Israelites. Even here God didn't allow them to fight with them but God himself overthrew the Egyptians in the Red sea and destroyed. In short Israelites went up harnessed out of the land of Egypt either the place where they were advised or in their continuing wilderness journey they don't have any actual war. In Exodus 17: 8-10 though Amalek fought with Israelites in Rephidim since Moses held up his hand to God Israelites prevailed.
It is not the men of war who went out of the land of Egypt destroyed the Midianites by executing vengeance upon them (Numbers 31:1-12) had war and possessed the land that was on the side Jordan (Deuteronomy 3:12-17) as they were consumed in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 2:14-16). Whereas Joshua and Caleb the representatives and the future generations who cleave unto the Lord did fought (Deuteronomy 4:4). But commonly, when we pay attention to the Israelites though they came out of the land of Egypt as the men of war yet they had the actual war during the time when they went to possess the land. Especially more beyond Jordan in Canaan than before Jordan. As we know in the Christian circle we ought to inherit the land of Canaan which is the eternal heavenly Canaan then there won't be any war in heaven. It is not we who war in heaven against the dragon but Michael and his angels ( Revelation 12:7).
Therefore we need to think spiritually the wilderness journey of Israelites and the war in the land of Canaan. The wilderness journey is our literal life by living godly by praising and worshipping and serving our God by keeping the commandments of God in our life span in this world. Land of Canaan means it is our spiritual life whereby we need to fight in order to become heirs by receiving victory. It is the spiritual life of our inner man who will be worthy to be taken up as a overcomer (Revelation 2: 26-27, 3:21, 12:5). Not lovers of God, but gluttonous and lovers of pleasures, having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof (2 Timothy 3:5) for them there wont be any wars neither strivings nor difficulties. They that say vain things as gods, in their life they eat and drink and rose up to play (Exodus 32:6) sporting and live (Genesis 26:8).
But it is true all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12). The adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about to work against them with might (1 Peter 5:8). Though we have war in our spiritual life it is said our wrestling not against flesh and blood. But our wrestling is against the devices of devil, against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:11-12). Therefore let us yield ourselves to God and as a good soldier resist the devil and he will flee from us (James 4:7). Thereby we have to be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might and put on the whole armour of God and fight a good fight and having done all, as a overcomer we can able to stand firm before God (Ephesians 6:10-17).
To become a good soldier of Christ we too have to endure sufferings along with the apostles and leaders (2 Timothy 2:3). Apostles are those who fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in their flesh for His body's sake, which is the church (Colossians 1:24). As the sufferings of Christ abound in them (2 Corinthians 1:5) even we ought to rejoice along with them as we partake in the sufferings of Christ (1 Peter 4:13). Though Jesus were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered and being made perfect (Hebrews 5:8). Even so let us also become partakers of His sufferings and become perfect in obedience. As Jesus lived being obedient even the death of the cross (Philippians 2:8) let us also live being obedient unto death. Let us become perfect in obedience which is the most important feature of a good soldier. Thereby we can able to keep His works unto the end and receive power along with Jesus (Revelation 2:26-27).
To become a good soldier of Christ Jesus and to please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier, in our spiritual life we should not entangle ourselves with the affairs of this life (2 Timothy 2:3-4). To a service man all the benefits, wages and other allowances which are needed for him in his day to-day life are accurately given by the authorities. Even so in our life we as a good soldier of God, His divine power given unto us that pertain unto life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3). Therefore we should not entangle in the affairs of this life or not to be burdened for the cares of this life and live (Luke 21:34). If we are those who serve God we should not have any thought for our life, what to eat or drink: nor for your body what ye shall put on ( Matthew 6: 24-25). We should not be as the nations of the world who serve mammon (in tamil - worldly things or world) not God (Luke 12: 29-31). Since no one cared for them they are troubled about many things (Luke 10:41). Casting all your care upon Him for He careth for us (1 Peter 5:7).
Through the Holy Spirit with the experiences of the kingdom of God when we eserve God then our God please in us (Romans 14:17). Since we please the one who hath chosen us to be a soldier otherwise since we seek the kingdom of God our heavenly Almighty captain will give everything needed for our earthly life (Matthew 6:31-33). Knowing our labour is not in vain in the Lord let us always abound in the work of the Lord (1Corinthians 15:58). Jesus in the days of His flesh always did the works that pleases God and lived (John 8:29). As such we have to redeem the precious times of our life (Ephesians 5:16) whatsoever we do, do it not unto men, not unto family members, not unto dear ones but as to the Lord, do it heartily knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance (Colossians 3:23-24) let us be a good soldier and serve God.
Since we are good soldiers of Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 2:3) war a good warfare to please the one who hath chosen us to be a soldier (1 Timothy 1:18). That is we should not only defeat the enemy in our war we also ought to get the great spoil. As they returned to their houses after the war in Canaan, Reubenites and his companions brought much riches as spoil of the enemies and returned (Joshua 22:8). As such we too should return to eternity being rich toward God (Luke 12:21). In our life the blessings of God maketh rich with divine experiences; nothing can be added by our own labour (Proverbs 10:22). Therefore like Jacob for the blessing we too have to wrestle and prevail (Genesis 32:24-28 ; Hosea 12:4). In prayer we have to strive and pray with crying unto God ( Colossians 4:12). Jacob encouraged himself to pray by sending over the brook his family and all that he had his earthly blessings (Genesis 32:22-24). Even so, we have to take away all the caress of this life from our thoughts and then wrestle in prayer.
We who are serving God with singleness of heart (Colossians 3:22) with the same singleness of heart we have to trust alone in God. For them our God will shew Himself as strong (2 Chronicles 16:9). " Except thou bless me ; i will not let thee go" as Jacob being stable we have to strive in prayers (Genesis 32:26). Thereby to be blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places ( Ephesians 1:3) we have to strive in prayer and live. Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: and by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches (Proverbs 24: 3-4). Therefore to receive the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of Christ unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding we must have the great war to fight (Colossians 2:2). For that we have to practice in labour. If then we can able to return to our eternal home with great treasures (Joshua 22:8).
Not only that having done all, able to stand (Ephesians 6:13) or we need to be present before Him gloriously (Ephesians 5:27). Therefore, to stand before the Son of man watch and pray always that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass ( Luke 21:36) so have a good fight as a good soldier of Christ Jesus and live. Then we will be presented before our Lord our Almighty Captain to receive the crown of life. Let our Lord strengthen us and give us grace to get these experiences.
