Clear Even in Present Danger: Pleasing Our Commander

2 Timothy 2:3-5  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  (4)  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.  (5)  And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

It’s all about HIM. We are chosen by CHRIST to be soldiers. Our draft was a rescue. It was not a near death experience. It was a death, resurrection and ascension so we could experience life. So, our COMMANDER is also our hero. HE is worthy of being pleased. Remaining untangled in the ungodliness of other philosophies and proclivities is a testimony of faith. By reserving ourselves for duty, prepared to answer the call, we aim to please CHRIST as prostrate marksmen. Hebrews  11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” So pleasing CHRIST is only possible by a faithful soldier. The faith-filled soldier operates in the realization that they are:

Commanded – It takes humility to truly obey. The soldier of CHRIST has a clear understanding of being in authority while under authority and operates in powerful and impactful humility. I am led to the Roman soldier who had a servant in need of healing (Luke 7:2-10). This soldier’s faith made JESUS marvel. The soldier of JESUS CHRIST’s loving trust in HIM leads to jaw-dropping obedience and love. JESUS is pleased. Authority grounded in love that is ultimately also giving a command to love should produce optimistic obedience and trust grounded in love. Humility is lived out when the authority of CHRIST is honored and pleased. We are commanded to reverent faith…

Commended – Awe and thanksgiving is the correct response to the realization of who CHRIST is. The soldier that said “truly this was the Son of GOD” was reacting to the instant climate change. He may not have been privy the exchange, when CHRIST said “into thy Hands I commend my spirit.” You see, in that exchange GOD we received an undeserved commendation. In Romans 5 it is explained even better.

Romans 5:7-8  For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.  (8)  But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Commend means to praise formally and introduce as suitable for acceptance or approval. The SON willingly commended HIS Spirit and in so the FATHER commended HIS Love toward us. In so, we who are unacceptable were made acceptable. The only proper response to this is thanks…not that we could possibly ever be thankful enough because of how awesome Grace truly is…Soldiers should thankfully want to run through walls for the uncommon valor expressed in unmerited favor in CHRIST…We are commended to thankful faith

Commandeered – We are not our own. We are vehicles taken over and rerouted for official business – only civilian in appearance. The mission is to please HIM. We have been sealed and filled by the SPIRIT. Given this, the soldier of CHRIST is steward of his personhood but owned by GOD. Life only happens by HIS ownership and we are alive to please HIM. He operates God-consciously not self consciously. We realize it is really HIM pleasing HIMSELF…for is HIM in us both to will and to do HIS good pleasure. Commandeered vehicles head toward what others are evacuating from to see that others are brought to safety – to bear our crosses and follow our COMMANDER - JESUS. We are commandeered for HIS good pleasure…

Good character is simultaneously a prayer and a salute. Loving HIM is to do as HE says and allowing HIM to do what HE does through us…that pleases HIM

I love YOU and I love you

Brother Jeremy A. Maynard

Clear Even in Present Danger: Avoiding Worldly Entanglements

2 Timothy 2:3-5  Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.  (4)  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.  (5)  And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

““Hold everything in your hands lightly, otherwise it hurts when God pries your fingers open.” – Corrie Ten Boom

Avoid the barbwire. Entanglement is the way the snake crushes its prey. Paul is telling Timothy and us to primarily focus our concern on the things of GOD. Yes, you can be so earthly minded that you are no heavenly good too. Entanglements are nouns [people, places and things] wrapped around you in an apparently unorganized and uncomfortable fashion to inhibit mobility. They even make the attempt at movement painful. They cause stagnating confusion and suffocation. They are sticky situations subtly hidden in the dimly lit areas in our lives. Like a spider binds its prey to later suck the insides out of it, so too are those supposed warriors for CHRIST, who are wrapped up in doing other things and AWOL when a spiritual call of duty has occurred. This is nappy unmanageable living. When things are out of order it is difficult to follow orders.

Some entanglements are out of order relationships or soul ties. Some entanglements are unhealthy or ungodly habits. Some are covetous desires or idols. Many of them are planted traps in what seem like meaningful opportunities. Others are what are called right or rights in the world that have long term ramifications on a soldier of JESUS. Note that, often, things with too many strings attached have Satan as a puppeteer. Discernment, which is active, alert and humble communication with the HOLY SPIRIT will help you read the fine print of any opportunity.

Note that the verse is admonishing against self-inflicted entanglement. Soldiers do not farm during war. As soldiers of JESUS CHRIST we must remain as unencumbered and focused as possible. 

What are ways for soldiers of CHRIST to comb out nappy entanglements before they can inhibit your walk?

1)      Camouflage [Guarded Transparency] – be clear about who you are and whose you are. Know the boundaries of all relationships and the wisdom of GOD that maintain them

2)      Strategize [Streamline and Simplify] –organize your life around peace. Do not over commit. Schedule and save.

3)      Night Vision [Let Your Eye Be Single] – pray and study the Word. Meditate. Heed the leanings of the HOLY SPIRIT. Be mindful that your worldview and life correspond

4)      Intel [Wise Counsel] – accountable mentors and relationships will help guard against myopic foolishness

5)    Crawl Beneath the Barbwire - Humility allows for greater stealth, health and victory

The best offense is a great defense and no defense is offensive...

I love YOU and I love you

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