On The Battlefield for My Lord – Part II

Part II:  The Character of God’s Warriors

2 Timothy 2:3,4  “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.”

In the last two posts, we’ve discussed what God has done for us.  In the Purity post we discussed how God creates in us a new heart and renews our spirit.  In the last post on being a Warrior we discussed how the battle belongs to our Lord.  This week we will begin a discussion on our response to all that God has done for us.  Since we know that Christ has taken our punishment and we receive the righteousness he earned in exchange, how then shall we live?  What does it mean to be a soldier of Christ?

Before discussing what life as a soldier for Christ looks like, I do need to say a few things about legalism and moralism.  There are many people who deny that Christians live under any sort of obligation, claiming that rules or standards for living are meaningless because we live under grace, not under the law.  While it is true that we live under the covenant of grace, and not under the law anymore, we still strive to do good things in an attempt, not to gain God’s favor, but to show our love for God and our gratitude for what he has done for us.  Legalism is about people attempting to earn their own righteousness in order to get something back from God.  A life of service to God is about people who know they could never live up to his standards, and yet have been given a gift they don’t deserve and every action and thought is devoted to pleasing our heavenly Father.  We must live a life of service as a soldier of Christ, a warrior for the Lord.

We no longer live under the law since Christ has fulfilled the law and given us the righteousness he earned, but because of what he did, we must strive to please God.  But how do we do that?  What kind of Warrior pleases God?  While there are many character traits that could be mentioned (Galatians 5:22,23 for example), I do believe that three very important traits are Purity, Humility, and Discipline.  The need for these can be seen in 2 Timothy 2:14-26.  Purity is important if you are going to be a useful tool in the hands of your redeemer (vs 20-22).  Humility is necessary if you are going to avoid quarrels, show kindness to all and correct opponents with gentleness, which presents a good witness to all (vs 24,25).  Discipline is required to “rightly handle the word of truth” (vs 15), and to have the ability to teach (vs 24).

These traits should not be surprising or unfamiliar.  Throughout history great warriors have been defined by these traits.  All great warriors have been defined by a pure heart, a humble spirit and discipline in their training.  King Arthur, Robin Hood, Batman, the list goes on.  While many people may model their lives after their heroes, as Warriors for God, we are called to follow Christ’s example.  If purity is defined by nothing short of Holiness, Jesus the only son of God surely was pure.  Today in church Pastor Ted explained how Jesus was meek and humble.  He was also very disciplined in his prayer and work (which will be discussed in a future post).  A good soldier of Christ will follow his example and pursue these traits as well.

Purity, Humility, Discipline: PHD.  A warrior with these characteristics is ready and able to serve his master and carry out his mission.

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