Good morning and welcome in everyone. Today, we are going to take a look at a passage of scripture, but before we do that, I wanted to tell you a little story.
When a soldier considers joining the military, one of the very first things that they are going to need to accept is that there are going be tough times that they will have to endure. As the old saying goes, it comes with the territory. At times, they will have to do battle in places that are going to be extremely taxing on their body. They will have to wade through the freezing mud. They will have to walk through swamps and extreme heat, slapping at mosquitoes, bugs, and all kinds of other creatures who want to bite them. They will need to go through periods of hunger and thirst while sleeping in the pouring rain or walking in the snow, with feet that are so cold that they can no longer feel them. This will cause a lot of where and tear, not only on the physical body but on the mind as well.
This reminds me of the Christian life.
There is a lot of pain and agony when it comes to a soldiers life, but their responsibility is to faithfully endure whatever they must go through. These are some of the requirements if you are going to take upon yourself the life of a career soldier. As a soldier for Christ, we too must endure hard times, and it’s not always going to be beans and gravy.
2 Timothy 2:3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
When we study the word “endure”, it means to patiently suffer something that is painful or very difficult. It is clear that those who choose to live for Christ are going to enter into certain times of suffering that we must get through in order to obtain eternal life. What something knocks us down, we must get back up again. When people lie about you and cast out your name as evil, you continue to speak the truth. To endure, one must remain firm under suffering or misfortune, without yielding, or giving up. If you suffer wrongfully because of your obedience to the will of Christ, this pleases to God.
1 Peter 2:19-22 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God. For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:
The Apostle Paul was no stranger to sufferings because he had experienced many himself. But during those times He placed his trust in the Lord, and Jesus delivered him.
2 Timothy 3:10-12 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
2 Timothy 4:14-18 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words. At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
2 Corinthians 11:24-28 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
When we endure sufferings, we must look to our precious Lord Jesus and the things that He went through while here upon the Earth.
Hebrews 12:2-3 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
1 Peter 4:1-2 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.
When we suffer wrongfully because we choose to obey Christ, the Spirit of God rests upon you.
1 Peter 4:12-16 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a busybody in other men’s matters. Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.
Being persecuted by others brings blessings from God.
Matthew 5:11-12 Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.
As a good soldier of God, we must fight the Spiritual battle fearlessly, just as David did when he fought against Goliath.
Philippians 1:28-30 And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God. For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake; Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now hear to be in me.
1 Peter 3:14 But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;
The Apostle instructs Timothy that he will need to endure afflictions.
2 Timothy 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Lastly, the Apostle Paul commended the church for enduring tribulation.
2 Thessalonians 1:4-5 So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
The Christian soldier must endure whatever suffering they must go through, if they are going to march across the finish line. Like a boat on the ocean, the Christian life is not always going to be smooth sailing, and like a soldier in the military, it’s not always going to be…..
…… Beans n Gravy
Let’s think about these things for right now. We can be found on your web browser by searching, tlkjbc where you can find our diaries distributed through various platforms. We are not associated, nor affiliated with any other religious groups. You can get our entire podcast feeds directly, along with transcripts at tlkjbc.com or I suppose that you could find us somewhere up here, in the Great Northern Minnesota woods. Peace to you, and Lord willing, we will talk with you some more tomorrow. Till then, bye bye everybody. ❤️
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