Stand Up, Stand Up for Jesus, Ye Soldiers of the Cross.

"Share in suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him." 2 Timothy 2:3-4

This is from Paul's last letter. He is concluding his earthly affairs and attempting to pass on just a few more pages of wisdom to his "son in the faith", Timothy. Timmy boy is now a pastor at a church he and Paul started while on their missionary journeys, and, though he is still young, Paul clearly thinks he is qualified to handle the tough stuff. The verses listed above follow Paul's heart-cry to Timothy: "What you have heard from me in the presence of many witness entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (2 Timothy 2:2).

Paul's desire is that this fire that he started for the cause of Jesus Christ, not be snuffed out. He over and over commands Timothy to teach and instruct and to carry out his instructions. Why does he do this? Why does he so forcefully and fervently want Timothy to do this? Because Paul understands that it is only through the teaching of the Word, that man can hear who God really is. So Paul encourages and commands Timothy to pass on what was passed on to him.

Let's look back to the original passage now. Why are we called to share in the suffering of Christ? Why must we do this? Well, to be honest, you don't have to if you don't want to. You don't have to follow Christ. You don't have to love Christ, but why wouldn't you want to? Over the last couple days I've been reading through Francis Chan's book Crazy Love, and it is extraordinary! It challenges everything I know about myself and my walk with God. It makes me ask, do I really love God the way I'm supposed to love Him? And that isn't a bad thing at all. Do you readily agree to face the discrimination you will undoubtedly face for being a soldier of Jesus? Are you willing to be cast aside and looked down upon because of your stance? I know I wasn't, probably still not when the fire is the hottest, but I pray that God will change that about me.

Have you ever tried to swim across a river with a strong current? I have. It's tiring work. You have to pick a spot you want to go for, then aim about 30 yards or so up river, and swim to that spot, just so you come out at your intended destination. Now, say that river is this life you are in. The "current" is your culture, friends, family, and anything else you hold in priority. In this situation, you are trying to swim away from a waterfall behind you to a safe spot upstream. What will happen if you pause, even for just one second? Everything will be lost! You will be swept downstream, away from your prize, which is Jesus Christ. It's impossible to do on your own! Which is why Paul continues on into verse 4.

"No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits..." What does that mean? For those of you who are from a military background, you might understand this better. Paul is saying (and this was far truer in his time than in ours) that a soldier only does what he is commanded. He doesn't worry about "buying, trading, and negotiating," as the great evangelist Junior Hill once said. Instead, a soldier "aim[s] to please the one who enlisted him." A Marine must obey his superior. This happens at every rank. If it doesn't, then the entire Marine Corp suffers.

So, for us non-military folk, that means that Jesus called us and we answered His call and were enlisted in His army. We serve Him, and our aim is to please Him. So, we are no longer in charge of ourselves, but He is in control of us. Therefore, live your life accordingly. For, which man in military history has served a commander who has died for him and won the war before he enlisted? The answer is none. Which commander has died to save his soldier's lives out love, not duty, and bought them their freedom, and provided them with everything they have ever and will ever need? The answer is one: Jesus Christ.

So, knowing that, how can we not respond with love? How can we continue to "get entangled in civilian pursuits"? How can we continue to think that just appearing at church one or two days a week be love?

God, save me from my own stupidity. Save me from my own disloyalty. God, forgive me for my lack of love and create in me a new heart full of love for You and Your creation. Help me start anew in my ruthless pursuit of You.