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
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