A SOLDIER OF THE CROSS
Memorise: Thou therefore
endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 2 Timothy 2:3
Read: 2 Timothy 2:1-7, Bible
in one year: 1st Samuel 21:23, Proverbs 7:10-27
I believe that knowledge and
wisdom are crucial to our greatness in life. Simply put, knowledge is
information that is censored by intelligence, while wisdom is the right
application of knowledge. One piece of knowledge every child of God should have
is the fact that every sincere Christian is a soldier of the cross. Christian
are combatants and we are expected to be equipped for battle. Ephesians 6:11
says,
“Put on the whole armour of
God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.”
The first group of enemies
Christians wrestle against are principalities, powers, ruler of the darkness of
this world and spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12). It is our
duty as soldiers of the cross to earnestly contend for the faith which was once
delivered to the saints (Jude 3). A saint is holy, and the faith delivered to
the saints is of great value. Therefore, no evil conduct must be found or even
mentioned among soldiers of the cross. How should a soldier of the cross live?
We are to resist the devil (James 4:7). Resisting an opposing force is serious
business. Whoever will resist the devil should first and foremost submit
himself or herself to God. Priorities only the needful in your life and let God
be your first priority. As soldier of the cross, the principal of proper
prioritisation is relevant to our growth in Christ. Someone once said the
reason most major goals are not achieved is that we spend our time doing second
things first. Many Christians find it difficult to make God their first
priority because petty and mundane matters steal much of their time.
Unfortunately, many are living for the wrong things. They fail to know that
part of being wise is to know what to overlook. If God will be your Number One,
there are many things you will have to flee from or refuse to touch. One of
such things is sexual immorality. The scripture enjoins us to flee fornication
(1 Corinthians 6:18). In the same vein, we should flee idolatry (1 Corinthians
10:14). A Christian soldier knows, as Paul did, that all things are lawful, but
not all things are expedient. As a soldier of the cross, it is your duty to be
sober, vigilant and watchful. You should set your affection on heavenly things,
not on the mundane (Colossians 3:2). Soldiers of the cross are the elect of God
and should therefore put on the attributes of mercy, kindness, humbleness of
mind, meekness and longsuffering. We should learn to bear with one another and
to forgive one another. Finally, every soldier of the cross is expected to
demonstrate the true love of God. You should also be thankful and allow the
peace of God to rule in your heart.
Action Point
Spend quality time in worship
and in singing spiritual songs with grace in your heart to God.
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