Text: 2 Timothy 2:3
Further Reading: 2 Timothy 2:1-10
You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 2:3 NKJV
MESSAGE
Those who truly will serve God in the gospel of Jesus Christ must develop a strong endurance against the beating of rain, storm, and flood of life. They must always be ready to say with Paul,
For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.
II Timothy 1:12 NKJV
They are not people who are weak-willed and will readily jump ship at the face of any trial or tribulation. Jesus already told us that only those who endure till the very end shall be saved. Since we are all called to be a carrier of the gosepl message, we must be ready to pay the price attached to it. One of such price is hardship.
Note that the hardship for the gospel can come from within or without. It may be physical struggeles or persecution from without. Many are enduring lack, health challenges, mental and emotional troubles, or even physical abuse for the sake of the gospel.
What will your response be when you are called to carry the cross of hardship or suffering and follow Christ? According to the word of God, if you must live a godly life in Christ Jesus, then you must suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12).
Don’t jump out and run, be a good soldier of Christ. You can not quit but you must keep going. Get your eyes away from the pain and set your eyes on the gain (Hebrews 12:1-2). The glory ahead outweighs the suffering at hand.
Be ready to stick your gut to the sharing of the gospel in your workplace, and society even if it comes at a huge financial or physical cost. People may ridicule you for standing up for Jesus, but you are blessed because great is your reward in heaven.
One last thing, don’t trust in your ability to finish well, always lean on the grace of God to carry you through. Even Paul said he was able to do all things through Christ that strenghtens him. Always look to Jesus for the needed strenght and you will finish well and strong.
REFLECTION
And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.
Hebrews 6:15 NKJV
Be patient and endure because you will soon obtain all He promised
PRAYER
Father, please help me not to derail but to keep holding to Your promises for my life.
