2Tim 2:1-13, 3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ
Paul uses familiar subjects we can identify with to present great truths. Out of the 7 powerful portraits in this text, I want to zero in on 3. He likens the life of a Christian to that of a SOLDIER, an ATHLETE and a FARMER.
As a soldier, Timothy’s mission is “endurance”, his call is to be “a good soldier”, his Commander is Jesus Christ. A soldier is commissioned, counts the cost and is equipped for battle. He is at war which may mean casualties. Paul says, “I have endured hardness, now you endure it with me.” (1Cor 11:1). The great care of soldiers (Christians) is to please their general (Christ) and not entangle (entrap) themselves with the affairs of this life (vs 4). Those who avoid battles become immature, underdeveloped, malnourished, unprepared etc. Hard times break them rather than teach them endurance as soldiers of the Lord. The matured do not retreat or surrender when the going gets tough. The thought of victory propels them to keep going.