January 9, 2024 -- II Timothy 2:1-5 -- Soldiers of the cross, battered, strong, all in need of grace

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You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also. 3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.
II Timothy 2:1-4 ESV

Be honest. How many New Year’s resolutions did you make? It is merely a week ago since you made them—have you kept them? Can you remember them? No doubt there are many which are already broken and crushed and you might even experience embarrassment at the remembrance of them. Today’s text is for you.

Paul’s friend Onesiphorus searched Rome until he found the place where Paul was imprisoned. He ministered to Paul. Now, if a human friend can offer help and grace, how much more can a Christian be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus! That is the point made at verse 1 of our text.

Soldiers encounter battles. They are exhausted. They are wounded. They are hungry. They are caked in blood (not all their own) and mud. They stumble and fall and are protected by fellow soldiers. They do not get discouraged. They knew the fight could cost them their lives. So it is with those who are in Christ. They can get wounded, stumble and get separated from the main fighting. Look to the grace of Jesus Christ. Trust He will strengthen you and His Spirit minister to you so that you will be ready for the battle. It is the only battle worth fighting—going hard against one’s own wayward fleshly desires, the devil and the world.

If you are wounded and weary, find a Christian friend to encourage you and keep you going. If you see a fellow Christian struggling and falling—rush to his aid with prayer and the word of Truth for that is the healing grace we have in Christ.

Father in heaven forgive us for the times we thought we were alone in this fight. Forgive us for the times we got into quarrels and controversies with fellow soldiers instead of focusing on the fact that we are soldiers of the cross of Christ. Grant us repentance which leads us once again to the knowledge of the truth. Faithful God, by Your Spirit, heal those whose minds are battle scarred, whose hearts melt because of the terrors of past conflicts. Triune God our lives are fixed on the truth that You, Lord, know those who are Your Own. As soldiers of the cross of Jesus Christ, who bear this Name as our standard, help us to depart from iniquity. As those who are strong help us to rescue others who are shell-shocked and in need of Jesus’ healing. Glorious God let the triumph of Jesus be our song of joy and our battle cry until Jesus returns with all His holy ones. Amen.

https://youtu.be/BXfwBETWQiU?si=ycOGIgDkLag0hzig “Am I A Soldier of the Cross”

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