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What does it Take to be a Good Soldier for Christ? - Part 3

"Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus." - 2 Timothy 2:3

A good soldier will suffer.

In the military, you are put through numerous mental, physical, stressful, and soulful tests during training.  And that is before we even try to imagine and consider the perils of war.  It is no secret that there is suffering involved in serving in the armed forces.  This is another reason why those serving need our prayers.

Likewise, there are many Christians suffering and being persecuted around the world.  I honestly feel hypocritical to even think about the persecutions we face of business discrimination and getting awkward looks from people when in parts of the world you are killed for carrying a Bible.  That is real persecution, real suffering, and takes real faith to live for God in the face of that kind of danger.

Look at your life.  Have you been suffering?  What trials have you faced?  Or has everything in life been near perfect?  I believe that we must ask ourselves if we are truly living for Christ or for ourselves if we haven't at least suffered some.  Jesus himself said in Luke 9:23, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me."

Who or what are you coming after today; God's desire or the world's  standards of success?

Are you willing to suffer and have to endure hardships to follow Christ?

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