Enduring Hardness As Good Soldiers of Jesus Christ
by M.H. Reynolds, Jr.
©Fundamental
Evangelistic Association
PO Box 6278 - Los Osos, CA 93412 U.S.A.
FAX 805-528-4971
IN 2 TIMOTHY 2:3, God instructs us as
His children to "endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ."
In verse four, our added instruction is to not become entangled with the affairs
of this life. Why? Because that is the only way we can please the One who has
chosen us to be His soldiers. In verse five, a very important warning is
given-we must carry forward our ministry for Christ lawfully. We cannot cut
corners, neither can we allow the world to have its way in our lives and produce
a divided heart and mind. A good soldier of Jesus Christ has only one Commander,
and he has only one Book of commands and promises that he must strive to know,
believe and obey.
God never promised His obedient children that their life on earth would be
"a Sunday picnic" or "a bowl of cherries. " He did promise
that those who "suffer with Christ" now, will "reign with
Christ" later (2 Tim. 2:12). Believers are to expect hard things in this
life-"Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer
persecution" (2 Tim. 3:12). At the same time, obedient believers are
instructed to weigh present difficulties in the light of future benefits, and
never forget the time element-affliction for a "moment" in contrast to
the future "eternal weight of glory" (2 Cor. 4:16-18). Such a
perspective is possible only for those who walk by faith, not by sight (2 Cor.
5:7).
Today, most evangelicals and some fundamentalists have been brainwashed into
a position of spiritual pacifism. They firmly believe that all contention, all
differences (doctrinal or otherwise) are wrong and unloving even though all
believers are commanded to "earnestly contend for the faith once delivered
unto the saints" Jude 3, 4). Following the satanic "positive thinking
only" philosophy of the late Dr. Norman Vincent Peale and his current
disciple, Dr. Robert Schuller, many professing Christians are giving the enemies
of Christ and the gospel a field day as they spread their errors with little
fear of exposure or opposition.
However, it is difficult to understand how anyone could read the Bible and
fail to see that God's Word not only sets forth the absolute truths He wants
people to know, but also gives repeated warnings about how to recognize error
and how to deal with it. A "positive only Bible" is an invention of
Satan as is a "positive only Christ." Furthermore, why would Christ
call His followers to be soldiers, provide them with both defensive and
offensive armor (2 Tim. 6:10-18), and then tell them never to fight? Such a
conclusion is both irrational and unscriptural.
As we begin another year of service for Christ, we are truly thankful for His
many blessings. Yes, the oppositions of Satan are increasing; we are having to
learn daily to endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ while rejoicing
in many answers to prayer. We are hearing from more churches, pastors,
missionaries and other believers who share our Biblical convictions, and it is
good to be able to encourage one another to be true to Christ and His Word
regardless of the cost.
We are thankful for the splendid staff and equipment God has given. There is
much more we would like to do and could do if God raises up additional finances
and prayer support. We long for Christ's return, but pray that we may be
faithful to Him in all things until our Blessed Hope becomes a reality. God
bless you. Let us hear from you. The battle is increasing in intensity and
scope, but our victory in Christ is assured- "But thanks be to God, which
giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ . Therefore, my beloved
brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord,
forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord" (1 Cor.
15:57, 58).
M.H. Reynolds
Senior Editor, FOUNDATION
MAGAZINE
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