From: Ben Kelley
Subject: Soldier of the cross?

Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 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. (2 Tim 2:3-4 (KJV)

(soldier, from the root word that means “one who camps out.” Understood at that time to mean “a common warrior, member of an army.”) 

Paul says that a good soldier is going to be focused on pleasing his commander.  He is not going to get all twisted up (entangled) in the affairs of this earthly existence, but will remain fixed on what his leader wants and says.  He also said that soldiers need to be prepared to endure, whether in a long, tiring march, a ferocious battle, or even days of taking care of the minutiae a soldier has to deal with, ie: training, checking and mending equipment, or keeping his barracks clean and orderly.  The good soldier remembers he is part of an army, and that army is there to do what its Commander says, not go off in each soldier's own direction of choice. 

We like to sing songs such as "Onward, Christian soldiers, Marching as to war, With the cross of Jesus, going on before," or, "Battle hymn of the Republic," but, being a soldier entails a lot more than just singing about it!  (Maybe we should just sing, "onward Christian" and leave it at that!)  It takes such things as: discipline, training, working together as a unit, familiarity with and ability to operate weapons, obeying orders, etc.  How many of those "soldier traits" do you exhibit as a follower of Jesus Christ?  Are you disciplined in prayer and Bible study?  Do you train regularly to witness?  Do you work together with fellow Christians?  Do you know how to use the weapons of spiritual warfare in battle (2 Corinthians 10:4)?  Are you obedient to God's orders, as your Commander?  The answer to most of these, if the truth be told, is probably "no!"  We want our "commander" to take care of us, supplying our needs, but we don't want  to do the "soldier thing" and live the lifestyle!  We "signed up," but then forgot about  our enlistment obligation.  I challenge you to ask God to examine you and reveal to you whether or not you are living as a soldier of the cross.  Then read the words to this old hymn below and consider how well they apply to you.  Answer the question, "Am I a soldier of the cross?"

Am I a soldier of the Cross?

Am I a soldier of the cross,
a follower of the Lamb,
and shall I fear to own his cause,
or blush to speak his name?

Must I be carried to the skies
on flowery beds of ease,
while others fought to win the prize,
and sailed through bloody seas?

Are there no foes for me to face?
Must I not stem the flood?
Is this vile world a friend to grace,
to help me on to God?

Sure I must fight, if I would reign;
increase my courage, Lord.
I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,
supported by thy word.

Thy saints in all this glorious war
shall conquer though they die;
they see the triumph from afar,
by faith they bring it nigh.

When that illustrious day shall rise,
and all thy armies shine
in robes of victory through the skies,
the glory shall be thine.

(Tune can be heard at http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/a/m/amiasold.htm  )

Children of God, Attention!

Forward, march!

Ben