2 Timothy 2:4 A Soldier of Christ - Devotional Scripture

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. 2 Timothy 2:4

Discipleship is like joining the military. No one can sign up and retain his independence. When a person joins the military his sergeant seeks to teach the soldier self-discipline because he knows that if he is left to his own devices the soldier would be careless and too self-absorbed to succeed.

When you are enlisted, your own interests are subservient to your superiors. Your time is not your own. You get up when they tell you to get up and you go where they tell you to go. Day by day, the soldier is pushed to do more than he thinks he can.  At first this goes against his will and his very character. Bit by bit, though, he starts to internalize the code of the military. He starts to care if his fellow soldiers succeed. He stands firm, not because someone has told him to, but because he has believed in something greater than himself. He is fit and ready for the hard life ahead of him. He is ready to contribute to a greater cause by making himself expendable to that cause.

We have reviewed the cost and rewards of being a disciple of Jesus Christ.  The only remaining question is, are you a disciple of Jesus Christ?  There are 3 "identifying marks" of discipleship given by Jesus:

1.       John 8:31, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine.”  When we obey His word and live according to it we are His disciples.

2.       John 13:35, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.” The distinguishing mark of a disciple is the love they show towards their brothers and sisters in Christ. It is also a sign to us that we are His disciples. We know that we have passed from death unto life because of the love God has placed in our hearts for the family of God (1 John 3:14).

3.       John 15:8, “My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.” Spiritual fruit will show itself in our lives as we spend time with Jesus and get to know Him better. His thoughts will become our thoughts and His purpose will become our purpose. We will become like Jesus and bear much fruit.

 

Discipleship is God’s plan for a purposeful and pleasurable life not only in the life to come but also now in this present life. No one but the disciple of Jesus is living life to the fullest and enjoying the blessing that come from being His disciple.