Are You a "Good Soldier of Jesus Christ"?

(2 Tim. 2:3)

The word "soldier" is one of several descriptive terms that depict the Christian's relationship to Christ. Others include: servants, disciples, friends, brothers and sisters, priests, and saints. "Soldier" is perhaps one of the most important descriptive names for the child of God because it portrays the nature and character of the duty of Christians.

We sing songs like "Onward Christian Soldiers," yet it seems that many Christians do not realize they are described in the Bible as a soldier. How can one be a good soldier if he does not even know he is a soldier, or does not know his duties? One may have seen the term "soldier" in the Bible and even sung related songs but still not know his responsibilities, or not think he is required to fulfill them. Many professed Christians are content with the "grace experience" that leaves them feeling saved. Others have been influenced by the "once saved always saved" doctrine and therefore think they cannot fall. But an inactive soldier is not doing satisfactory work, is not pleasing his commander, and will not receive the same reward as an active soldier. Jesus said, "Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 7:21; see also Heb. 5:9).

Soldiers undergo extensive training in many areas. They learn who they are, what they are, and what their objective is. Then, they learn how to fight and become equipped for battle (Eph. 6:10-17). While it is true that the Christian soldier's battles are spiritual, he does fight real battles. In writing to Timothy, Paul said, "Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier" (2 Tim. 2:3-4).

While only two things are noted in the above text ("endure hardness" and a warning not to entangle oneself with the affairs of this life), much more is involved in being a "good soldier" - the most basic characteristic of soldiers is that they "fight." Paul said, "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses" (1 Tim. 6:12). Near the end of his life he said, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" (2 Tim. 4:7).

D.L. Moody, in speaking to preachers, said, "Many churches are full of barely committed people who have never won a soul to Christ, rarely speak a word on His behalf, and accept Christianity as a nice addition to their lives - which are devoted to the same basic goals as their neighbors." He went on to say, "One reason we may have so many shallow Christians today is that many of us have preached a shallow Gospel rather than the demands of God's kingdom, and they are OUR converts rather than our Lord's."

The world is in desperate need of brave, strong soldiers of Christ - men and women who will prepare themselves for service and then stand and fight. Indeed, each Christian needs to "Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" (Eph. 6:11).

Paul wrote, "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ" (2 Cor. 10:3-5).

Clearly, Christianity is not a passive religion, but a militant one. Yet the battle that Christians face is a fight for the minds of people to bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.