DUMP THE BGGAGE. 2nd Timothy 2:4 The key to such endurance is our love for Jesus Christ, our commander, who suffered to bring us to God. Now, it is our turn to see others with love and grace, even if they reject us. We may be called to suffer and endure while we try to bless them, even though they don’t realize what they are missing and will miss it forever.
A good soldier keeps his eyes fixed on the Supreme Leader, who has the entire picture of battles to fight and victories to achieve in his mind and heart. Around a soldier’s position, there are often many distractions. Other soldiers may talk a lot but lack discipline. When the pressure is on to advance despite obstacles and enemies, they make excuses for not being in their place when needed. There are tasks that might be more enjoyable than training, so they spend time and effort on things that bring profit and pleasure instead of preparing for unforeseen challenges ahead. There is a tendency to relax when peace seems to prevail. However, when an unseen and unexpected attack on truth and righteousness occurs, he is either unable or unwilling to defend his position and support his Leader unless he is a good soldier.
In sharing these holy truths, a toll is taken on the son-servant. Hardships and sufferings that cannot be avoided exist, much like a soldier on the battlefield in constant danger. He has left the security of home life and civilian interests to train and learn the discipline needed to work closely with others, providing safety and security for family and nation until the enemy is defeated. The training is complete, but the hardship and suffering remain real. We are in the midst of a battle. In active service, a soldier does not concern himself with civilian affairs. What matters to a common soldier is what the Commander cares about and what He wants me to do.
The Leader’s position is high, far beyond the battlefield, and He can see the entire scene before Him. He knows where the enemy is likely to attack the defenders of God's kingdom and wants His faithful and good soldier to be in position before the battle so that he can hold his ground as a defender of faith against all attackers. A good soldier understands he must “resist the devil, and he will flee from you; draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.” He has heard his commander say, “Fight the good fight of faith; lay hold on eternal life.”
Our Lord, the Mighty Conqueror, knows when to call His good soldiers to take positions and defend the faith, and when it’s best to attack and move forward, “doubting nothing.” The commander has provided the “whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.” This armor protects us from the arch enemy, the devil. The armor of righteousness addresses our close enemy, the flesh, while the armor of light enlightens the enemy of the world, often hidden in darkness of duplicity and deception.
A good soldier of Jesus Christ has removed all unnecessary extras that are not essential to fulfilling his mission. His backpack, filled with nonessentials unrelated to his urgent task, has been cast aside so he can focus his efforts on the task at hand. He is responsible for doing his part and working with and supporting fellow soldiers to ensure victory is achieved. His leader knows and trusts him to willingly do what he has been called to do and to share the burden of others to the best of his ability. When the battle ends, both those engaged in the conflict rejoice, and their joy will not fade because the Lord Himself will say, “Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.”