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What Does it Take to be a Good Soldier for Christ? - Part 1

With Independence Day approaching, I began thinking about what it takes to be a part of our nation's armed forces as they protect our lives and freedoms.  Why do they do what they do?  How do they do it?  What can we learn from them?  The Holy Spirit and those thoughts led me to 2 Timothy 2:1-7 where even the heading in my bible is titled, "A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus."  For me, each of these seven verses gives us a characteristic of a soldier that we can incorporate into our lives for Christ as well.

V1 - "You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus."

A soldier has to belong. 

For me to call someone my child, there has to be some sense of pride and ownership in that person, in their life and their potential.  To be a child, you must have been chosen.  Children are also supposed to take on a submissive role to their parent.  Before a soldier begins to receive training and be taught how to become a better warrior, he must first commit to the organization and be accepted into it.

Paul then talks about being strengthened.  In order for a child or a soldier to be made stronger, someone has to invest some time and effort into them.  They have to train, learn, study, and practice the skills and disciplines being taught them by someone else.  Before we can get on God's strength program and receive the power of the Holy Spirit that He gives us, we must commit our lives to him by placing our faith in Christ. 

Who do you belong to?  When you call out to God, does he call you "My Child?"

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