Suffering like a good soldier - Part 2
2 Tim 3:3-4 - Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of
Christ Jesus. No one serving
as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to
please his commanding officer.
Firstly we saw that a good solider endures suffering. Secondly Paul says that a good solder does not get entangled with the affairs of the world.
If you would have observed, in most countries, the soldier's physical, social and medial needs are usually taken care of by the state. His housing, his food and even his future is taken care by the government. This is because the soldier's duty to defend his country in times of war, requires absolute commitment and dedication. He has to be fully prepared and always ready. His life is also uncertain and can be killed in war. That was a reality in Paul's days. The soldier cannot be distracted by other things in life and hence the government takes care of all (or at least most) of his personal needs. This will ensure that he is loyal, faithful, committed and ready for battle at any time. On the soldier's part, if he is to truly function as a good solider for his country, he cannot afford to get entangle with the civilian affairs. Those are not his concern. Fighting for his country is.
Paul draws an analogy from soldier's life and says that a good soldier of Jesus Christ, also cannot get entangled with the things of the world. Satan will do all that he can to distract a christian from his purpose in life and his focus on God. There must be that clear understanding that this world is not our home. we realize that we are pilgrims on this journey. Life is transient, Our perspective is eternal., we are heaven bound. We are just a passing through. Col 3:2 - Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For the normal citizen, wealth, health, possessions, career become important. For the good soldier these are important too but the priorities are different. He is thinking everything in terms of the kingdom. Luke 12:34 - For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
In Romans 12:2 Paul says, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world," When we were growing up, not conforming to the world meant that we should only hear gospel songs, cannot got to a cinema, no makeup....a long list of legalism.. Over the years these clutches of the law seem to have lost its grip and are no longer a taboo. These issues do not separate the believers anymore. How then do we not conform to the world or get entangled in it? The Message Bible renders the verse as follows: "Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God." The culture of the world is self based, climbing the corporate ladder, making money, achieving the best the world can offer. The christian culture is Bible based. It is Word centered. and that means God centered. There is therefore now a shift in the principles our lives are based on. They are godly and Bible-based. For example, if someone offends you, the normal reaction of the world will be to seek revenge or or take legal action. The christian who does not want to conform to the world will rather let God be the avenger. His response will one of forgiveness and restitution. That's what makes the christian and the Christ he worships unique. I am not suggesting that legal redress is wrong but all actions must be based on Biblical principles. It may be difficult to follow and on occasions seen as a loser, but when you do you become distinct from the world.
A good soldier carries himself in accordance with his military code of conduct, especially when he is in uniform, even outside his camp or barracks. There is a set of law and order he in bound by. His port and bearing attracts a sense of awe and respect and sometime fear from those who see him. 1 John 2:15-17 says, Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes,and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The christian solder is also bound by another law, not the law of the flesh but the law of the Spirit. And because he is Spirit-led he does not conform to the desires of the flesh but there oozes an aroma of the fruit of the Spirit that makes him an attraction to the people around.What is it in you that attracts people? The fruit of the Spirit or something else or do people shun you because......
What then is the good soldier's priority.....to be continued.
If you would have observed, in most countries, the soldier's physical, social and medial needs are usually taken care of by the state. His housing, his food and even his future is taken care by the government. This is because the soldier's duty to defend his country in times of war, requires absolute commitment and dedication. He has to be fully prepared and always ready. His life is also uncertain and can be killed in war. That was a reality in Paul's days. The soldier cannot be distracted by other things in life and hence the government takes care of all (or at least most) of his personal needs. This will ensure that he is loyal, faithful, committed and ready for battle at any time. On the soldier's part, if he is to truly function as a good solider for his country, he cannot afford to get entangle with the civilian affairs. Those are not his concern. Fighting for his country is.
Paul draws an analogy from soldier's life and says that a good soldier of Jesus Christ, also cannot get entangled with the things of the world. Satan will do all that he can to distract a christian from his purpose in life and his focus on God. There must be that clear understanding that this world is not our home. we realize that we are pilgrims on this journey. Life is transient, Our perspective is eternal., we are heaven bound. We are just a passing through. Col 3:2 - Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For the normal citizen, wealth, health, possessions, career become important. For the good soldier these are important too but the priorities are different. He is thinking everything in terms of the kingdom. Luke 12:34 - For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
In Romans 12:2 Paul says, "Do not conform to the pattern of this world," When we were growing up, not conforming to the world meant that we should only hear gospel songs, cannot got to a cinema, no makeup....a long list of legalism.. Over the years these clutches of the law seem to have lost its grip and are no longer a taboo. These issues do not separate the believers anymore. How then do we not conform to the world or get entangled in it? The Message Bible renders the verse as follows: "Don't become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God." The culture of the world is self based, climbing the corporate ladder, making money, achieving the best the world can offer. The christian culture is Bible based. It is Word centered. and that means God centered. There is therefore now a shift in the principles our lives are based on. They are godly and Bible-based. For example, if someone offends you, the normal reaction of the world will be to seek revenge or or take legal action. The christian who does not want to conform to the world will rather let God be the avenger. His response will one of forgiveness and restitution. That's what makes the christian and the Christ he worships unique. I am not suggesting that legal redress is wrong but all actions must be based on Biblical principles. It may be difficult to follow and on occasions seen as a loser, but when you do you become distinct from the world.
A good soldier carries himself in accordance with his military code of conduct, especially when he is in uniform, even outside his camp or barracks. There is a set of law and order he in bound by. His port and bearing attracts a sense of awe and respect and sometime fear from those who see him. 1 John 2:15-17 says, Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes,and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The christian solder is also bound by another law, not the law of the flesh but the law of the Spirit. And because he is Spirit-led he does not conform to the desires of the flesh but there oozes an aroma of the fruit of the Spirit that makes him an attraction to the people around.What is it in you that attracts people? The fruit of the Spirit or something else or do people shun you because......
What then is the good soldier's priority.....to be continued.
Comments
Post a Comment