A Good Soldier

"Endure hardship like a good soldier of Christ Jesus."
                                          --2 Timothy 2:3
 
 
            If the Bible were filmed as an action-adventure movie, the script would read like this: The King's most trusted officer turns renegade and gathers a powerful army around him to lead a rebellion.  Through treachery and deceit, the rebel leader usurps the authority of the King and sets up his own rival government, enslaving the citizens of the kingdom.  In order to free the captives, the King sends His own Son into the heart of enemy territory with a battle plan more shocking than anyone could imagine.
 
            Sound exciting?  You bet.  And because you, as a Christian, are written into the script, you almost feel real bullets zinging past your head.  The ceaseless warfare is being waged not only for your heart and mind but for the lives of millions of others.  The stakes are high.  The consequences are eternal.
 
            The story, thanks to the Author, has a great ending: The Son has won the victory.  Your adversary may try to intimidate you because you live behind enemy lines while here on earth, but the whole universe knows the truth.  One day the Son will be crowned the rightful King of Kings, and the entire kingdom will come back under His domain.
 
God has given you a battle plan to invade the Devil's territory and retake earth under the banner of your Lord and Captain.  You can't fail; God's battle plan is perfect.
 
That's why you must endure hardship as a good soldier of Christ Jesus.  Good soldiers neither question their commanding officer nor desert the conflict.  You've been groomed for active duty, so be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.  The end of the war is in sight!
 
Lord, strengthen me to take hold of the sword of the Spirit and the shield of faith so that when the day of evil comes, I can stand my ground.