2 Timothy 2:1-13
"Be strong in the grace", the apostle charges his beloved disciple. He himself had learned this secret directly from the Lord: "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness . . ., (2 Corinthians 12:9). Three examples, the soldier, the athlete and the farmer, illustrate the self-denial, the obedience and the patience respectively of the Christian. These are the characteristics of the good soldier: he does not burden himself with unnecessary luggage; he is disciplined in order to please his superiors; he knows that the profession of a soldier inevitably involves suffering, danger, receiving hard knocks, and that these precede the commendations and the medals. It is a faithful saying, which the whole of Scripture confirms: our present behaviour will have its eternal counterpart. Today suffering and death with Christ; tomorrow life with Him, the kingdom and eternal glory! Dear believing friends, Jesus Christ has enlisted us under His banner. Alas! in an army there may be deserters who deny their flag and their captain (v. 12; Judges 1:4). There are a thousand ways, including silent ones, of betraying our Captain. May the desire of having His approval, secret today, public tomorrow, make of us, good soldiers ready to fight the good fight (2 Timothy 4:7-8; 1 Timothy 6:12).