23 JUNE
WHO AM I? (4)
(SOLDIER OF CHRIST!)
“Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.”
(2 Timothy 2:3-4, ESV)
Alleluia. I am a soldier of Christ! A good soldier must be willing to follow the authority over him, even without fully understanding, and irrespective of risks that may be involved. The soldier is not just willing but realises that obedience is mandatory. He endures rigorous discipline and training. He should be fearless and courageous, reliable and consistent, disciplined and patient, faithful and obedient, wise and strategic, determined, driven and dedicated. He must stay focused, eliminating all distractions, in order to finish his assignment well as be part of a team that wins or he may lose his life.
As soldiers of Christ, we have to give up worldly security and distractions, and live a disciplined life of obedient and faithful service to please our Lord and win the trophy of eternal life. We represent a heavenly Kingdom and should battle according to the laws of our Kingdom.
ACTION: Have you joined the Lord’s army? Are you working as a good soldier? Heed the clarion call of this song by George Duffield:
| 1 | Stand up! stand up for Jesus! | 3 | Stand up! stand up for Jesus! |
| Ye soldiers of the cross; | Stand in His strength alone; | ||
| Lift high His royal banner, | The arm of flesh will fail you; | ||
| It must not suffer loss: | Ye dare not trust your own. | ||
| From victory unto victory | Put on the Gospel armour, | ||
| His army shall He lead, | And, watching unto prayer, | ||
| Till every foe is vanquished | Where duty calls, or danger, | ||
| And Christ is Lord indeed. | Be never wanting there. | ||
| 2 | Stand up! stand up for Jesus! | 4 | Stand up! stand up for Jesus! |
| The trumpet call obey; | The strife will not be long: | ||
| Forth to the mighty conflict | This day the noise of battle, | ||
| In this His glorious day. | The next the victor’s song; | ||
| Ye that are men, now serve Him | To him that overcometh | ||
| Against unnumbered foes; | A crown of life shall be; | ||
| Let courage rise with danger. | He, with the King of glory, | ||
| And strength to strength oppose. | Shall reign eternally. |
PRAYER: I stand up as a soldier of Christ with full assurance of victory now and eternally. Give me your grace, Lord!