A Good Soldier

King James Daily Bible Study Devotional
Message Title: A Good Soldier
Date: Saturday December 10, 2011
Chapters: The Book of II Timothy
Click Here to Read Them or Go to: http://thesaviorjesuschrist.com/bible-reading-december-10
All Scripture quoted comes from the King James Version, words in read are spoken by Jesus.

Hello My Friend,

A soldier is a person who contends or serves for a cause, in the military a soldier serves their country, they voluntarily give their lives to save the lives of people they do not know, whom they may never see again, and whom can care less about them, yet they serve with honor. Soldiers are the lowest in rank, put through the most tests, and have to endure the most pain of all. Thousands of men and women have lost their lives serving their country. One Man voluntarily gave His life for the cause to save all of mankind, people that do not know Him, whom can care less about Him, whom will see Him, that man is Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the greatest soldier to ever exist, while many do not know Him now, He knows everybody, and one day everybody will know Him too. “Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.” - John 5:28,29.

The Book of II Timothy is the sixteenth book of the New Testament, the fifty-fifth book of the Bible, and contains four chapters. The author of this epistle (letter) is Paul and it was written to Timothy. This was the second letter written to Timothy, written about a year later, approximately 64AD, which he wrote from prison fearing he would soon be executed for holding on to his faith. The purpose of the letter was to challenge Timothy to assume the responsibility for the ministry which the apostle was handing over to him while facing persecution. What we are to learn from the book is that each person who lives for Christ will suffer affliction, but He gives them the power to endure and be a witness to others. “Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” -II Timothy 2:10.

As a soldier, Jesus Christ had to endure much pain, suffering, and humiliation, He was beaten, scourged, mocked, stripped down to a loin cloth, hung on a tree, and left to die there while thousands, including His mother watched Him. The key word, endured, which means to suffer without resistance, He could have come down, He could have fought back, but He endured, He died that day for one cause and one cause only, to save the human race. Before Jesus died, He said three words, “It is finished” (John 19:30). What was finished? There is a threefold purpose of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection; 1. To abolish death which is the result of sin. 2. To bring to light salvation through Him. 3. To enlighten the subject of immortality, which believers are to have through Him when He returns. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” - Romans 5:8-10.

Now, Jesus is the General, those who believe and have accepted Christ and serve Him are His soldiers, we have voluntarily called on Jesus Christ to save us, therefore, we have been enlisted in His army. The cause, the same as Jesus', to save sinners. Just as Jesus suffered for the cause, we will suffer too, not the painful death that He endured (although some people have died), but we will face persecution for standing by our faith and teaching it to others. Timothy was given the task of pasturing a church that Paul began when he was in Ephesus. Paul's first letter to Timothy instructed him on how to live as a Christian and set the example for others to follow, in this letter he praises him for his obedience, encourages him not to be afraid of persecution, but endure it through the power of the Holy Spirit, who dwells in every believer.

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel:..For the which cause 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 that which I have committed unto him against that day. Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which dwelleth in us.” -II Timothy 1:7-10,12-14.

Being saved does not exempt us from being persecuted, in fact, those who stand by their faith will face even more persecution. Why? Jesus said, “And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” - Mark 13:13. Instead of feeling defeated, rejoice knowing that your persecution is not in vain, you have the victory because you are going to heaven, to live in God's Kingdom. “And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:” - Revelation 22:1-3.

Paul continues to encourage Timothy not to give up the fight and reminds him that he was chosen by Jesus Himself to be a soldier. “Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. The husbandman that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.” - II Timothy 2:1-7.

Jesus chose you, of all the people that have accepted Him and received Him, He chose you to be one of His soldiers. Not every person saved is qualified to handle such a duty, but He chose you. God knows what we are going through, He allows it to keep us faithful. You know, when I chose to dedicate my life for Christ I faced all sorts of persecution, I still do, but the more I suffer the more I learn to thank God for getting me away from the people who caused so much trouble in my life in the first place. There is not a day that goes by that I do not thank God for taking me out of the world. While we may not understand why we are going through the things we go through at the time, God will help us understand when the time is right. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” - Romans 8:28.

One day over is one day closer to Christ returning, and if you think things are bad now, it is only the beginning. Paul explains what we as soldiers are about to come up against. “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” - II Timothy 3:1-6.

I was watching the news last night and there is a fight going on to shut down the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, which is tasked with monitoring religious liberty worldwide. If we have no freedom to choose the religion we want to follow then we would have to follow the religion the government chooses for us. It is important that we as soldiers reach as many people as we can before every nation is forced to follow a one world religion and anyone going against it will be severely persecuted. As a good soldier for Christ we can overcome every form of persecution, we can with Paul say, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” - II Timothy 4:7,8.

A crown is defined as the highest or most perfect state of anything and to bring to a successful or triumphant conclusion. God promises a crown to all who stand by Him, the more we endure, the more blessed we become. “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” - James 1:12.

Today's Prayer:
Dear God,
Lord, as we march on as soldiers for Christ We thank You for the many spiritual warriors who have taken on added responsibility and assumed difficult duties of leading us to victory in cause of Christ. Bless our leaders who have poured themselves into our lives and set for us an example to follow. Lead us and guide us, give us Your power to endure the persecution we face and will face as we serve You as a good solider for Christ. Help us to remain faithful and keep reminding us of what we will enjoy after all the work is done and what we get to enjoy in Your presence and in Your Kingdom. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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