A Soldier's Life

2 Timothy 2:1-4
You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.

Meeting with the Thomas last night we spoke of what it meant to be a soldier for Christ. One things that stuck with me as we spoke and read from Jeremiah Burroughs classic "The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment" was that a soldiers life is not one of comfort. When a soldier is away at war he does not expect to have the same comforts and luxuries and peace that he has while he is at home. No comfy bed but a cot perhaps maybe even the hard ground. No sumptuous meals but bare rations, just enough to fuel the body. The soldier is not bitter, he know that he is at war and the sacrifices he makes are for that cause. So it is with those who follow Christ. We are at war. We are not at home for our home is in heaven with Christ. So as we live our lives here on earth make no mistake we are soldiers. We fight against our flesh, the world, and the great enemy Satan. Let us not be bitter at the little comforts we must give up for our cause is great, it is the glory of God and the gospel of His Son that we fight for. When comforts and joys do come our way let us praise and thank God for the refreshment and encouragement His blessings give. When we must part with those blessings let us remember what we are fighting for and that a good soldier of Christ Jesus will suffer, for our Savior, general, and King suffered for us as well and He is worthy to give up all for.