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Second Timothy 2:3 says, “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”
A soldier has to know his instructions. Orders are rules of play. King Jesus said, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you” (John 20:21). We can learn the rules of play, if we read in the Bible how Jesus did that. A soldier has to obey.
Many things go to pieces because your life is not in agreement with God’s plan, God’s purpose.
The word sin means “missing the goal.” In the Old Testament we read that God came to dwell in the tabernacle because it was built in accordance with His will.
What are we fighting toward? Toward a future where the earth will be covered with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. Here on earth there will be a succession between the King of Light and the Prince of Darkness. The prince of this world, the Prince of Darkness will be dethroned, and King Jesus, the Sovereign of Light, the Messiah will reign.
To serve in the army of the King of Kings, you must come just as you are. Exactly just as you are, with all your sin, your bondage, your ignorance. But you won’t stay just as you are. The King himself will make sure that you are trained and that you receive a uniform for your battle against sin which will bring you to victorious ground. Just read about it in Ephesians 6:10–20.
The Lord will break your bondage to the past, to people, to habits so that you will be truly free. In John 8:36 Jesus said, “If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” Your ignorance will be changed to knowledge. So much so, that you will exclaim, “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13).
How can that be? By opening all the doors and windows, drawers, and wallets to the Lord Jesus. Light came into your room this morning when you opened the curtains. The Holy Spirit is ready like that to come wherever the doors are opened. That commandment, the most wonderful, most joyful commandment in the Bible, “be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18), will then suddenly take place.
Jesus wants to live in us through His Spirit, and then the fruit of the Spirit and the gifts of the Spirit will be completely at your disposal.
Read it yourself in Galatians 5:22 and 1 Corinthians 12, 13, and 14. Chapter 13 is about God’s love, which is poured out into your heart by the Holy Spirit which has been given to you (Romans 5:5). That is a different love than human love, which eventually fails. But God’s love never fails.
What armor you receive when you join the army of King Jesus! Do you see that you can’t do it, that I can’t do it? That it is only Jesus, who in spite of everything already has the power and makes us more than conquerors because He comes to dwell in us through His Spirit.
But why do you sometimes feel so lonely? You feel as if you are far away, that you are on your own in the battle, like the emotions of a soldier who has to go on reconnaissance and feels he is in danger. He is trembling, because he has lost the connection with the army and the general staff. A soldier like that needs a walkie-talkie. Then he is in contact with his superiors, whom he can consult at all times.
Our King never sends us to the front without a walkie-talkie. We are in constant, wonderful contact with Him through our walkie-talkie of prayer. “Pray continually,” the Bible says (1 Thessalonians 5:17).
That doesn’t mean constantly being on your knees, but it is the continuous connection with the Master, right in the middle of the battle of daily work. Sometimes it is just a sigh, an exclamation, a “Lord, thank You that You are with me.” “Lord, help me, I’m in trouble!” “I made a mistake, Lord, will You forgive me and help me not to make the same mistake again?” “Praise and thanks to You, Lord. You take such good care of me!” This is how the Master makes you more than a conqueror.
Lord, will You repair our walkie-talkie of prayer where necessary? You are the author and perfecter of our faith. Will You make it a real conversation? It’s so nice to spend time alone with You in my quiet time, but also just in the normal course of things. Hear, Lord, whoever says, “I lay my hand in Your hand, Lord, together with You I am more than a conqueror.” Hallelujah! Amen.
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Your Turn
Are you obedient to God’s Plan? Are you dressed for the battle against sin and the Prince of Darkness? Knowing that we are all incapable of fighting in our own strength, have you opened up every area of your life for the Holy Spirit to fill you to overflowing? Are you staying connected to God in continual prayer? Come join the conversation on our blog! We would love to hear how you are preparing for and doing spiritual battle! ~ Devotionals Daily