What Are Soldiers For?

December 14, 2003
Sam Lubag

[1] You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. [2] And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. [3] Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. [4] No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs-- he wants to please his commanding officer.
2 Tim 2:1-4 (NIV)

[7] Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this. [8] Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, [9] for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained. [10] Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. [11] Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; [12] if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; [13] if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
2 Tim 2:7-13 (NIV)

Paul relates some similies to young Timothy to reflect on what he's saying in v. 7 to qualify himself so he can be strong and teach others. 2:12. In this admonition, we take the simile; being a spiritual fighting soldier is for us to learn what is meant to be Christ's soldiers. We need to answer the question, what are soldiers for? For Paul and us to fight should mean:

1. To Endure Hardship
   As a Good Soldier. (Endure hardship with us. 2 Tim 3a)
   For the sake of the Elect. (Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory. 2 Tim 10).
   
   
2. To Get Involved
   No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs. 2 Tim 4a
   No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money. Matt 6:24 (NIV)
   Not in Civilian Affairs. ([3] It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; [4] that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable, [5] not in passionate lust like the heathen, who do not know God; [6] and that in this matter no one should wrong his brother or take advantage of him. The Lord will punish men for all such sins, as we have already told you and warned you. 1Thes 4:3-6 (NIV))
   With the Soldiers Like You.
   
   
3. To Please the Commander. (he wants to please his commanding officer. 2 Tim 4b
   [1] Finally, brothers, we instructed you how to live in order to please God, as in fact you are living. Now we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus to do this more and more. [2] For you know what instructions we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 1 Thes 4:1-2(NIV)
   Obey First Before You Complain. (For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, 'Go,' and he goes; and that one, 'Come,' and he comes. I say to my servant, 'Do this,' and he does it." Matt 8:9 (NIV)
   Obey and Never Complain.
   
   
4. To Remember What We Fight For - Good News[8] Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, [9] for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained. 2 Tim 8,9
   We Can Be Chained Like Paul.
   God's Word is Not Chained.

Soldiers are to fight. Like Timothy, we are spiritual soldiers that fight through these four things for this life. We imprision our desire, dying and fighting daily for Christ to win. That's what the soldiers are for!

[11] Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; [12] if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; [13] if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.
2 Tim 2:11-13 (NIV)