Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions

Today’s devotion comes from 2 Timothy 2:3-4.

 

“Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.”  2 Timothy 2:3-4.

 

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The life of a Christian is described in different ways in the next section of Scripture.  In today’s Scripture, the life of a Christian is described as “a good soldier of Christ Jesus”.  A Christian, like a good soldier, stays focused on his service and mission, endures suffering, and does not become entangled in the affairs of everyday life. 

 

A Christian, like a soldier, may feel tempted to go “AWOL” (absent without leave).  But, Peter, like Paul, warns us to not become entangled on outside affairs:  “For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first.  For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them.  It has happened to them according to the true proverb, “ A dog returns to its own vomit,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.”  2 Peter 2:20-21.  

 

 

We have the perfect Commander in our Lord Jesus Christ.  Like a good military commander provides his soldiers with all the food, clothing, and armaments that the soldier needs, Christ supplies all the provisions that we need.  Philippians 4:19.  Like a good military commander makes sure that his soldiers are assigned jobs that they can do, Christ gives us spiritual gifts so that we can do the service assigned to us.  Romans 12:4-8.  Like a good military commander puts his soldiers in a position to win, Christ puts us in a situation to win.  1 Corinthians 15:57.

 

“but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.  Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”  1 Corinthians 15:57-58.