Be Strong
So you, my son, be strong [constantly strengthened] and empowered in the grace that is [to be found only] in Christ Jesus. The things [the doctrine, the precepts, the admonitions, the sum of my ministry] which you have heard me teach in the presence of many witnesses, entrust [as a treasure] to reliable and faithful men who will also be capable and qualified to teach others. Take with me your share of hardship [passing through the difficulties which you are called to endure], like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier in active service gets entangled in the [ordinary business] affairs of civilian life; [he avoids them] so that he may please the one who enlisted him to serve. And if anyone competes as an athlete [in competitive games], he is not crowned [with the wreath of victory] unless he competes according to the rules. The hard-working farmer [who labors to produce crops] ought to be the first to receive his share of the crops. Think over the things I am saying [grasp their application], for the Lord will grant you insight and understanding in everything.
REFLECTION
As committed Christians, we are clearly called to be sober soldiers in an epic war between good and evil. As intense as the battle to believe can be at times, we can trust our Sovereign Saviour – Jesus Christ – in the trenches as well as on the mountaintops of obvious victory. For He defeated evil on The Cross of Calvary so that we could take the narrow path to eternal life.
Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6 NIV)
For us who choose to follow Christ, we need to fight the good fight of faith until we join Jesus in glory and see Him face to face. The battle to believe (especially during difficult seasons) is a raw reality on this side of Heaven, and we need to stay mindful that our fight is essentially spiritual not physical.
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood [contending only with physical opponents], but against the rulers, against the powers, against the world forces of this [present] darkness, against the spiritual forces of wickedness in the heavenly (supernatural) places.” (Ephesians 6:12 AMP)
We have been given armour and weapons to effectively fight the good fight of faith, namely: prayer, pondering and obeying God’s truth, repentance, worshipping and trusting God, and humbly doing good in faith – together with the body of Christ.
For we “…overcome evil with good.”(see Romans 12:21)
Praise God that we are more than conquerors in Christ. Everything we go through, in faith, is preparation for an eternity of perfect goodness and glory with our marvellous Maker. And while we make our way to our heavenly home, let’s never forget that our relationship with the Lord is at the heart of the sanctification and transformation process, for we can do nothing apart from Him.
As we move forward in faith, hope and His perfect love, may the truth of Colossians 3:2-4 (AMP) be ever in our hearts:
Set your mind and keep focused habitually on the things above [the heavenly things], not on things that are on the earth [which have only temporal value]. For you died [to this world], and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.
PRAYER POEM
God-of-the-Angel-Armies, I humble myself under Your mighty hand, for Your ways I long to understand.
Equip me with insight, for I desire to do what is right in Your sight.
Venerated Victor, give voice to the vision, for Your commission is my mission
