Text: 2 Timothy 2:3 NKJV

Further Reading: Psalms 24:7-10

You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.

2 Timothy 2:3 NKJV

MESSAGE

The call to Christianity is a call to warfare. The Christian must be ready to be enlisted in the triumphant army of Christ. The truth is that our captain is the ever-victorious King who has never lost a battle. His title the Lord of Hosts echoes a fundamental truth that we are indeed more than conquerors through Christ that loved us (Romans 8:37).

Let us consider the scope of the Christians’ battle as highlighted in the word of God

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12 NKJV

Notice that the Bible showed us that we have enemies to contend with. They are not physical enemies or humans like us. Therefore it would be a waste of our spiritual arsenal to be confronting human agents being controlled by demonic spirits. We must learn from our Master who always goes for the demon and not the person. When Peter was malfunctioning, Jesus rebuked the devil and not Peter. Jesus knew the one operating at that point is the devil and not Peter (Matthew 16:23).

The next thing to notice in this warfare is that our weapons of warfare are not physical. Since we are not fighting physical enemies, it is expedient that we know the weapons to fight with.

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
II Corinthians 10:4‭-‬5 NKJV

The truth is that no Christian is exempted from this warfare. If you chose not to fight, the enemy will fight you. The Bible says that your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
I Peter 5:8 NKJV

You must therefore stand to fight the good fight of the faith. You must be ready to endure all manner of challenges just a good soldier of Christ. You must be always combat-ready because the enemy is not resting. Make it a point of duty to get more spiritual stamina by engaging in various spiritual exercises. Spend time in prayer, fast, study the word, worship, and do much more. These activities will keep you ready to face the enemy when he shows up at your door.

Always be ready, prepare for war!

REFLECTION

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 2:4 NKJV

There is zero tolerance for play because of the eternal value of the human soul, therefore you must always be ready to fight because the enemy is always on the move.

PRAYER

Father, please give me the spiritual stamina to stay focused and keep winning through the power and name of Jesus Christ. Amen.