469. 2 TIMOTHY 2:3. THE CHRISTIAN SOLDIER

2 Timothy 2:3. The Christian Soldier

"A good soldier."’972Ti_2:3

The text is equally applicable to the private Christian, as to the apostle or bishop of Jesus Christ. All disciples are alike engaged in spiritual warfare. All are called to fight the good fight of faith, and to endure hardness as good soldiers of Christ Jesus. Martial language is often applied to the servants of God. And true religion involves in it a necessary and continued conflict with sin and the powers of hell. Observe,

I. The Christian Soldier becomes such by a voluntary Enlistment into the Army of Jesus.

He abandons his former course, and freely and cheerfully surrenders himself by faith to God. He ceases to be an enemy, which he was in his carnal state in the enmity of his mind. He has felt the evil of opposing the counsel and authority of God. He has been convinced of the folly and infatuated wickedness of fighting against God, and now he accepts of God’s gracious offer, and voluntarily engages to war against all evil, and to devote himself fully and forever to the service of the Lord.

II. The Christian Soldier is clothed in the Armor of Salvation.

This is fully described by the apostle, Eph_6:13.

(1) It will be seen that the loins are to be girt with truth.

(2) The breastplate is to be righteousness.

(3) The shoes or sandals, the preparation of the gospel of peace. Then there is,

(4) The shield of faith.

(5) The helmet of hope. And the offensive weapon is,

(6) The sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. The whole of this armor is to be used in connection with the spirit of incessant prayer. For the apostle adds, "Praying always," &c. Now this is the authorized legitimate armor to the preclusion of all other. No other will secure us from evil, or give us victory over the enemy.

III. The Christian Soldier fights under the Standard of the Cross.

The cross is that which is the centre of attraction to all the soldiers of Jesus. This is that by which the conquests of the Saviour are effected, and his spiritual dominions enlarged. This is the power and wisdom of God to the pulling down of the strongholds of sin; and this is the object of glorying to all the disciples of Christ, "God forbid that I should glory," &c.

IV. The Christian Soldier is commanded by Jesus, the Captain of Salvation.

Christ is emphatically styled the "Captain of their salvation," Heb_2:10. He has gone before his followers, and overcome in their nature all our foes, and was made perfect through suffering. He leads and commands all the spiritual army of God. He was beheld by John as seated on a white horse, having a bow and crown given unto him, and going forth conquering and to conquer, Rev_6:2. As their captain, Jesus possesses every qualification to encourage his troops, and to head them in all their conflicts, until they have finished their course, and "fought the good fight."

He has given express orders, and specific directions, for infallibly ensuring success to all who fight under his banner He is their captain and commander to the exclusion of every other. He is infinitely wise,’97undauntedly courageous,’97invincibly strong,’97compassionately tender,’97inviolably faithful,’97and ever victorious.

V. The Christian Soldier has to wage War with many Enemies.

He has to wrestle with flesh and blood; to overcome the evils of his own nature’97the unsubdued corruptions of his own heart. Within are fears, and doubts, and unbelief, much ignorance, self, pride, &c. These must be subdued. All slain. Flesh mortified. Spirit have the ascendency and reign. There are also foes without,’97the world, in all its evils and opposedness to God. With these are leagued the powers of hell,’97Satan and the legions of darkness With these enemies there is manifest kindredness and combination. United they are formidable and dangerous. To wage uncompromising war, and overcome them, is the duty and end contemplated by the soldier of Christ. After all, for the Christian’s encouragement, they are represented as being subject to God’s controlling power, finite, of limited means of evil, and have, in myriads of instances, been triumphantly vanquished by the soldiers of Christ.

VI. The Christian Soldier must Fight and be faithful unto death.

His campaigns will extend through life, and the last enemy he must conflict is death. His martial toils must be patiently and meekly borne, and his defensive and offensive fighting maintained, until he tramples on the neck of the king of terrors, and exclaims, "Thanks be to God, who giveth me the victory," &c.

VII. The Christian Soldier shall receive a Glorious and Eternal Reward.

Having suffered with Christ, they shall be "glorified together," Rom_8:17. Having overcome they shall have dominion, Rev_2:26; be clothed in white raiment, Rev_3:5; sit with Christ on his throne, Rev_3:21; eat the hidden manna, Rev_2:17; and receive from Christ’s hands the crown of eternal life, Rev_2:10.

Application

1. Let the soldier of Christ rejoice in the sources of comfort, provision and victory, which are presented to him in the word of God. How necessary that he keep his armor bright. That he be vigilant; zealous; devoted to God; valiant in spirit. That he cleave closely to Jesus; obey his commands, and tread in his steps.

2. Urge the thoughtless sinner to cease his rebellion, sue for mercy, and obtain a place and name in the army of Christ.

3 How certain the destruction of the enemies of Christ.

Autor: JABEZ BURNS