The Soldier
/2 Timothy 2:1-6
1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 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. 5 Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hard-working farmer ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops.
stratologeō
“No soldier” in active service/KJV warreth
strato—1. encamped); camp-likeness, i.e. an army 2. an army, band of soldiers 3. the hosts of heaven/ troops of angels
logeō—ask, bid, boast, call, describe, give out, name, put forth, say(-ing, on), shew, speak, tell, utter.
An active believer is one that engages the battle. He is like a soldier that is encamped and he speaks forth: speaking forth can entail both:
Proclaiming truth
Prayer/intercession
Farmer’s share
His share: whether money or food, the farmer’s share drives him to plow, to sow, to harvest…
The farmer’s driven to plow. The athlete’s desire for the prize drives him to compete according to the rules.
And the soldier that desires to please his commanding officer is one who engages the spiritual battle and does not get intertwined with common affairs.
2 Timothy 2:14-17
An Unashamed Workman
14 Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers. 15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth. 16 But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
Katastrophe- (KJV subverting) demolition, overthrow, destruction-- as in cities.
A while back the Lord gave me a vision of buildings in a city that had been bombarded by the prayers of the saints. The area was war torn and had been stricken by demolition. The prayers of the saints caused the catastrophe to the kingdom of darkness. So if prayers bombard the kingdom of heaven and useless talk results in catastrophe, what are all the buildings and defenses of the kingdom of God looking like in the spirit when we speak curses instead of blessings on others?
There is something interesting happening in this text:
1. Paul warns against useless words. There is a whole category of conversation that we could include in this. We will just trust that as we move closer to the Lord through prayer and study of His word, that our renewed mind will be more sensitive towards useless talk will become more clear to you and that as you engage in it, you will be convicted and then from there you can be aware.
2. V15 Divide-- handle aright, to teach the truth directly and correctly
My job is to make a straight cut and present it that way to you. Your job is to rightly make the cut for yourself. You are not to imagine in your mind: Pastor Matt taught me right, I’m going to be okay. We’re talking about your eternal reward and your eternal soul. You will have to decide whether you’re going to be a soldier or a civilian. A soldier wars, they are in the battle, they divide the word, and they avoid useless, worldly talk and actions that will result in catastrophe.
3. V 16 avoid empty and worldly chatter it spreads like gangrene. I know that we all know what gangrene is, but let me say it out loud, so we can hear what it sounds like. Gangrene is death that has occurred to a particular body part. Gangrene must be stopped by amputation or else it will spread to the rest of the body and cause death to the whole.
2 Timothy 2:19-21
19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from
wickedness.”
20 Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. 21 Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.
The believer who desires to serve the Lord Biblically has some specific responsibilities according to this chapter.
Engage spiritual warfare
Avoid wrong words
A spiritual soldier engages w/ words: prayer and proclamation: he speaks life not death
He abstains from wickedness
He cleanses himself, making himself a vessel of honor (sanctified)
The main point surrounds the effectiveness of the warrior. If his vessel is sanctified, he is ready for the master’s use. If he is not sanctified and cleansed, then he is a vessel of dishonor.
Let’s be clear in that I do understand that there is both positional and progressive sanctification. But when do we start moving forward in the truth? How long should we wait until we stop addictions? How long should it take before we stop vain babbling or foolish talk? How long until we align our lives with his truth. He is gracious and merciful. How long do we take advantage of his grace and mercy pretending that he’s okay with disobedience when we know from his word that he’s not?
1 Peter 2:4-5
As Living Stones
4 And coming to Him as to a living stone which has been rejected by men, but is choice and precious in the sight of God, 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
Revelation 5:10
And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.