“Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus… and to Archippus our fellow soldier (Philemon 1:1-2)
Christians are called to be soldiers of God (Philemon 1:2, 2 Timothy 2:3). When you believed in Christ, you were thrown into a raging battle. If this were not so, you will not be told to put on the whole armour of God (cf. Ephesians 6:11). “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places” (Ephesians 6:12). The more we understand this, the better we will be prepared to live in victory daily.
The Greek word translated “fellow solider” in Philemon 2, also means “an associate in labors and conflict for the cause of Christ”. Our territory comes with conflicts and hardships, and the only way to overcome is not to wish or pretend there is no conflict but to endure as a soldier would: Thou therefore endure hardness (hardship, suffering) as a good soldier of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:3). How do good soldiers of Christ endure hardship? We are given the answer: “No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier” (2 Timothy 2:4).
The Scriptures above (2 Timothy 2:3-4) teach us that we are to endure hardships as soldiers of Christ, knowing that it is Jesus Himself who has enlisted us. Because He is our enlister, our sole goal must be to please Him alone. This is the only way we can make it as soldiers. Even so we cannot please Him until we first decide not to be entangled in the affairs of the daily life. This calls for practical adjustment in the ways we live. We can’t live like every one else, getting along with the culture of the day just like everybody does. We can’t spend our time idling or on just anything but with Him and what pleases Him. We can’t engage in just any job if He does not need our involvement in it or take take on extra jobs or hours if that will hinder the quality of our devotion to Him. We are to concern ourselves with only what concerns the Lord, just as Jesus said “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24). These call for discipline in our daily walk with the Lord.
Without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Even so, to be a solider who pleases God also requires that you be a person of faith. This is foundational for every soldier of Christ. In all you do to deny yourself for the Lord, as crucial as that is, if not done in faith amounts to nothing. This is how important faith is. Faith, believing and acting on the Word of God, is the language the devil responds to. You shall resist him by faith and by faith overcome him. By faith you will move forward as a soldier, rise above every challenge and most importantly please Him who enlisted you as a soldier. This is your identity as a child of God.
-Dr. K. Omari
January 22, 2020.
A Very Important Message
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16). For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23). Therefore, If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, I invite you to put your faith in Him. Pray the prayer below to accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour:
“I come to you God in Jesus’ name and surrender my life unto you. I repent of my sins and I ask You to forgive me all my sins. I confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord, and I believe with my heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead. I thank you God for saving me, in Jesus name, Amen”.
If you sincerely prayed this prayer, believe and be assured that you are saved, for the Bible says that whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13, Romans 10:10, Acts 16:31). Find a Bible believing church to attend so that you can be discipled to grow in the ways of God. You can also email me ([email protected]) and I will be happy to grow together with you in Christ.