“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3).
TEXT —2 Timothy 2:1-7
Message
It is said that life is not the lap of luxury, or what is more commonly called a bed of roses. The best things in life often result from determination, sacrifice and forbearance. They permit no room for the frivolous, fearful and fainting. And as the legendary British prime minister, Winston Churchill once told new entrants to his government, “I have nothing to offer (you) but blood, toil, tears and sweat.” The life of a Christian pilgrim can hardly be different.
The Christian is charged to be strong in the grace that is in Christ, which means that he is to trust completely in the power of the Lord Jesus Christ, and must not be afraid to face challenging situations. All that he has learned should not just suffice him to run the race successfully to the end, but should be passed to others who, in turn, are given the mandate to spread the gospel of Christ. The Christian, like a good soldier of Jesus Christ, must endure all difficulties, and avoid all distractions that could come through entanglement with the world’s activities. This is one way to please the Lord who has commissioned him to be a soldier. As an athlete in pursuit of godly laurels, he must focus on keeping himself spiritually fit and trim for the race of life. And like a dutiful farmer, he must work hard to cultivate and harvest bountiful harvest. These are deep spiritual admonitions valid for all ages.
We should not think that we can run the Christian race by our own strength, skills and abilities, but, instead, depend on the sufficiency of the grace of God. We must recognise that the key to the evangelization of the world, is to pass the gospel message from generation to generation, teaching the whole counsel of God. This would be provocative to the carnal and corrupt system of the world, and attract persecution, suffering and trial. In such a state, we must remain unmoved and focused, ensuring that our suffering is made worthwhile by the glory our lives bring to God through the number of souls we win to Christ.
Thought for the day
A Christian who can’t endure pain can’t enjoy gain
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
