Be Strong (2 Timothy 2.1-7)
"You then my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have hear from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others as well."
This is the ground and call. Strength from grace. Graced to grow others. Paul goes on and applies this grace worked out to men who embrace they are soldiers, athletes, and farmers.
"Share in suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him."
Battle. Fight. Fight for your cities. Fight for your families. Fight for your great grand-babies. Fight for those that have no voice. Fight for those who don’t even know how to fight for themselves. Battle that insidious enemy the devil. He has been crushed under the heal of our King. Battle in the gracing strength of the Spirit of God. It is not by might nor by power by [His] Spirit says the Lord of Hosts. You battle not in your power but of God Himself. May God keep your eyes fixed on the mission by keeping your eyes fixed to the Cross. May no civilian pursuits bewitch you. May the pleasures, riches, and cares of this world not choke the fruit God is growing.
Why fight? Why battle? Why labor as exiles and warriors here?
"Our aim is to please the one who enlisted us."
The one? Jesus Christ. Enlisted by His blood. We are blood bought soldiers for His glory by His grace in His strength.
"An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules." Labor well. Train hard. Don’t take shortcuts. May we be men who train and beat our bodies for a crown that will never fade. One given by our King. May we look forward to the crown of righteousness, which the righteous one will award to us, and not only to us but to all who loved His appearing.
"It is the hardworking farmer who ought to have first share of the crops." God has reminded me this week how lazy I can be, and how much time I waste. The farmer gets up early and labors until late with no one watching. He plants in faith. He waters in faith. Trusting that God alone gives growth. He weeds his field so what grows produces a great harvest. May God allow us to be hard working farmers who get to partake in the harvest.
May we plant the seeds of the Gospel. May we look at this globe as God’s field and ask Him where the field is largest, the workers fewest, and may we go work that ground. Holy Spirit bust up the dry and barren soil of our cities. Holy Spirit make ground ready for the Gospel to be planted. For your glory God and the good of your people.
"Think over what I say for the Lord will give you understanding in everything." God by the Spirit please keep these verses in our minds and hearts. May we meditate on your word day and night. May we inhale these God-breathed Words and feel strong by your grace. Give us fire in our bones that bursts forth in preaching and planting of Gospel-centered Christ-exalting churches. For your fame, in Christ’s name. Amen.