As Paul challenged Timothy to be a faithful Christian “soldier” (2 Timothy 2:2-4), he mentioned a crucial attitude for Timothy to cultivate in that role – the desire to “please” our “Captain!” One of the first lessons a new recruit learns in boot camp is “who’s in charge” (and it’s NOT the new recruit!). Christians are described as “soldiers” because Jesus calls us to “ENLIST” in His “army!” It’s no accident that He is described as the “captain” of our salvation in Hebrews 2:10!
The original Christians would have been very familiar with soldiers and military terms (their “mental image” would have been a Roman legionnaire). Ancient Rome’s soldiers were MORE than “just” war-fighters: They were also Rome’s “police” force, builders of roads, bridges, aqueducts, and fortresses, and “ambassadors” of both Greek thinking and Roman polity! The new testament’s “military” references help us understand and appreciate what our “commander” expects of His “troops” while we’re in this world!
ALL of Jesus’ soldiers are volunteers. There are no “draftees” in the army of the Lord! No one is FORCED to serve Him: He invites, but never “forces” us to share His blessings and benefits! When we “enlist,” however, we are committing to serve Him for life: Notice 2 Timothy 2:4 – Christian soldiers are on “active duty” until HE dismisses us! As “soldiers,” our AIM is to please our Captain, because we chose to serve Him! NO ONE serves Him against their will.
Next, Christian “soldiers” ARE engaged in a war! It’s NOT an earthly or political conflict – our “war” is against Satan (Revelation 12:10). Ephesians 6:12-18 describes both the basic character of our conflict (vs. 12) and the “tools” God provides for us to use (vv. 13-18).
“…we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.”
As “soldiers,” we are NOT “at war” with denominational folks or even people who openly try to serve Satan’s values. We must fight only ONE enemy – Satan! Therefore, our “objective” is to seek peace between men and God, and peace among men! (Jesus blessed those who “make peace” in Matthew 5:9, and Paul urges us to, “…pursue the things which make for peace and…edify another,” Romans 14:19).
Christian “soldiers” are also “builders” of HEAVEN’S kingdom. Paul called himself a “wise builder” in 1 Corinthians 3:10. In this, we cooperate with God Himself, Who laid the “foundation” of Jesus Christ, Hebrews 11:10 and 1 Corinthians 3:11. We could also be considered “ambassadors” of the heavenly kingdom because – as Christians – we must show the world “heaven’s best!” Don’t enable others to “DE-value” Heaven’s kingdom by doing a poor job for our Master!
Remember the NATURE of our conflict: We must FIGHT or be CONQUERED, for there will be NO “negotiated peace” in this war. Though our enemy offers NO mercy, the “war” is already over! (Jesus won it on the cross.) Even though we fight a malicious opponent (Ephesians 6:11), WE must “fight fair” because we represent our King!
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