10.23.9 "A Soldier, an Athlete and a Farmer"

"A Soldier, an Athlete and a Farmer"

Jeremiah 42:1-44:23
2 Timothy 2:1-21
Psalm 92:1-93:5
Proverbs 26:3-5

"Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Jesus Christ, just as I do, and as Christ's soldier do not let yourself become tied up in worldly affairs, for then you cannot satisfy the one who has enlisted you in his army. Follow the Lord's rules for doing his work, just as an athlete either follows the rules or is disqualified and wins no prize. Work hard, like a farmer who gets paid well if he raises a large crop. Think over these three illustrations, and may the Lord help you to understand how they apply to you." 2 Timothy 2:3-7

Let's do what it says in verse 7 today: "Think over these three illustrations and may the Lord help you to understand how they apply to you."

1. A soldier: When I think of a soldier, I think of how trained he is. Knowing the value of his future, he has committed himself to the training that will help him survive. He will obey every order from his commanding officer. He is completely devoted to the men in his unit. They would never let a fellow soldier stand alone. The mission is always in mind. He has been trained so that suffering will not throw him off course. He will endure to the end. He will give his life.

How does that apply to the Christian life? I must obey the Lord. I must intensely follow the training set out by my spiritual leaders knowing they have my well-being in mind. I must devote myself to fellow believers. I must help them so they don't stand alone. I must endure suffering to the very end.

2. An Athlete: When I think of an athlete I first think of the discipline necessary for them to be successful. The greatest opponent they have ever faced is the one within. As Paul says, they must follow the rules lest they be disqualified. I think of how there is a goal: winning the prize.

As a Christian I must constantly keep focused on keeping my body under subjection. I cannot win battles on the outside unless I win them on the inside first. I need to understand that there are rules of competition in the Word of God. I must be faithful to all he commands keeping the goal in mind: winning the prize the Lord has laid out for me.

3. A Farmer: When I think of a farmer I think of HARD WORK! I think of how there are no "days off". A farmer rises early each day to take care of stock and crops. He must faithfully attend to every situation at hand, thinking ahead to potential threats on his livestock, and on his crops. He builds fences to protect that which he's been entrusted. I think of the amount of time it takes to bring forth a harvest. I think of the harvest and how all hands are on deck to bring it in.

As a Christian, I must build fences against anything that would threaten what is entrusted to my care. There is no "day off" to being a believer. It must be a part of who I am. Each morning i must wake up with the mindset that the harvest is coming. I must give everything I have to bring the harvest in. I know that the harvest is coming!

As you live the DREAM today, remember as Paul instructs Timothy: the Soldier, the Athlete and the Farmer. Live the Christian life with this intensity.


Through the Power of the Spirit,
Live the DREAM!

P Greg


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