" Thou, therefore endure hardness, as a. good soldier of Jesus Christ." (2 Tim. 2:3.)
Many and varied are the aspects in which the believer is looked at in the Scriptures. I now desire to dwell upon that of soldier.
In the first place it is well to notice the state of things in this Epistle, the only book in the New Testament in which the term `soldier' is applied to the believer. The careful reader will notice that evil (and the consequent sorrow and trouble connected therewith) abounds throughout it. In Matt. 24, the blessed Lord speaks of a terrible state of things and warns (ver. 12) that "because iniquity shall abound the love of many shall wax cold." Is not then 2 Timothy of special value to us, beloved fellow believer, dwelling as it does on what takes place " in the last days when perilous (`difficult ' New Trans.) shall come." Let us however remember that any and every time is too difficult for us, but none are so for the Lord. Peter was as unable to walk on the water when smooth as when rough, except sustained by the power of God; and that same Peter (1 Peter 1) speaks of being "kept by the power of God," but adds (that we may remember our side) "through faith," for " without faith it is impossible to please God " Heb. 11). Now who are the ones that are going to stand in a day such as 2 Timothy contemplates, when we have not only Satan in his " roaring lion " character, but also " the wiles of the devil " to contend with. Do we not get a clue to it in chap. 2:2, where Timothy is enjoyed to commit to faithful men what he had himself learned of the apostle that they might be able to teach others also? Does this not show us that he considers Timothy to be such an one? But not for any natural qualification. Naturally Timothy was inclined to be weak and timid, as indicated in chap. i. 6-8. But is that not in accord with the teachings of 1 Cor. 1:27, etc. " God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise, and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty. etc." He that of old had trained and taught the shepherd boy to slay the lion and the bear (typical of Satan's two ways of working) and sent him against the mighty Goliath, had been training Timothy and was now sending him forth to a more stupendous conflict. Paul's testimony of him in Phil. 2:19-22. is a very remarkable one. Taught and trained in God's school he had learned (by God's grace) to overcome the worst foe that any of us have to contend against, that Hydra-headed monster, self. The great lesson of Phil. 2 is self-abnegation. The Lord Jesus immeasurably first, " in all things He hath the preeminence," vs. 6-8; Paul, vs. 17, 19, 25; Timothy, vs. 20-22; Epaphroditus, vs. 25-30. " I have no man like minded" is the wonderful testimony Paul (inspired by the Holy Spirit) bears to Timothy. Constrained by the love of Him who had won his heart, the interests of Christ had displaced all self-interest, and that too when self-interest was predominant in all around. He did not entangle himself with the affairs of this life that he might please Him who had chosen him to be a soldier.
In reading this 2nd chapter of Phil. 1 am reminded of a question recently asked as to where collective testimony is now? If I read Acts 2:42-47; 4:23-37; 5:41, 42, I see collective testimony beautifully exemplified. But that was, I judge, an answer to John 17:21. But when I read Phil. 2:11, I find that Satan, using the Hydra-headed monster, previously referred to, as his chief lever, had broken it up before the apostles were off the scene. As to corporate, or church, testimony, He who loved the Church and gave Himself for it had foreseen the unfaithfulness that would come in and made provision for it in Matt. 18:20. As He who uttered what is there recorded is. "The same yesterday, and today and forever," and as "The word of the Lord endureth forever," faith is certain that wherever the conditions there mentioned are fulfilled, so surely will He Who " abideth faithful, He cannot deny Himself" fulfill His part. Yes, only three, or even two, gathered to His name! " Who hath despised the day of small things?" He does not, nor will any one taught of the Spirit who has (through grace) overcome the Hydra-headed monster and in whose heart faith is in exercise.
To return to our subject. Does not the very term " soldier " suggest fighting, warfare of some description and not a peaceful state of things. Now every believer is a soldier; but there are bad soldiers as well as good. How many, in the present day, want to have all the blessings and privileges belonging to the Christian and to shirk the responsibilities—why? Because the heart has grown cold, the Hydra-headed monster has done his horrid work and the (I won't say duty, but) privilege of being wholeheartedly—identified with a rejected Christ in this the time and scene of His rejection is lost sight of. But it is very needful, if our service is to be of an intelligent character and so " acceptable to God," (Rom. 12:1, where `reasonable' is rather intelligent') that we should learn from the word of God the true character of the warfare the Lord is looking for now, and also the sort of weapons. How valuable then is acquaintance with dispensational truth. The conflict for Israel, under Joshua, was against flesh and blood, but not so with us: read carefully Josh. 5:13-15; Eph. 6:10-19; 2 Cor. 10:35. But as what happened unto Israel were types for us and written for our guidance and instruction (1 Cor. 10:6,11), we learn valuable lessons from the Old Testament as well as the New. And I desire to say right here that God's word is a beautiful and perfect whole and we need to be careful not to fall into the selfish way some have of reading it, viz, having a few pet corners that they go to when they do take up the Bible. Dear fellow-believer let us remember the gracious words of our beloved Lord and Master in John 15, where, after referring to His wondrous love so infinitely surpassing all other love (ver. 13), He, the Maker of heaven and earth, says (ill connection with fruit bearing) " Ye are My friends! (What wondrous language from such an One addressed to the likes of us), "if ye do whatever I command you," He then proceeds, " I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his Lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of My Father I have made known unto you," (vs. 14, 15). Now put that alongside 2 Tim. 3:16, 19, "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God (lit. ' God-breathed'), and is profitable for doctrine (' teaching) for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; that the man of God may be perfect (` complete throughly furnished ('perfectly equipped ') for every good work." In the 1st Epistle Paul had enjoined Timothy to give attendance (' attention ') to reading... Meditate upon these things, give thyself wholly to them," " for ye are not your own, ye are bought with a price," and such a price! "Every word of God is pure " (Prov. 30:5)-then do not omit any of it, but be like Jeremiah, " Thy words were found and I did eat them, and thy word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart." Beloved fellow-believer is that so with you and me? " Eating " making it our own before God and entering more into the interests of Christ and intelligent as to what concerns His glory, and then like Mary who sat at the feet of Jesus and fed upon His word we get to know what is suitable to Him and are led by the Spirit to the right thing at the right time and perhaps be found fault with for doing it as Mary was. Hut " let her alone... she hath wrought a good work... she hath done what she could," from the Master, more than repaid her. (Mark 14:3-9.) Do not forget the word of the Lord to Martha, Luke 10:41,42.
The word of God is the only offensive weapon the Lord gives to His soldiers (Eph. 6:16), and remember you must let it do its work in your own soul first ( " your loins girt about with truth," Eph. 6:14), or you will not be a good swordsman. The Holy Spirit teaches us a valuable lesson through Ezra who is spoken of as, " A ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the Lord God had given" (Ezra 7:6). Read carefully the 10th verse (same chapter) and note the order " Ezra had (1) prepared his heart to (2) seek the law of the Lord, and to (3) do it, and to (4) teach." He was a real help (Ezra means " help, cf, 1 Cor. 12:28). I would call your special attention, dear reader, to the first qualification above mentioned " prepared his heart." O do not let it be mere head work, " the Lord looketh on the heart." And what a remarkable lesson does the Spirit of God teach us, Eph. 6:18,19. We have in the previous 7 or 8 verses the Lord's soldier armed from head to foot and what next? Placed on his knees. What an attitude for a soldier'! Conscious of his own utter helplessness (if going on with God) he looks to the Lord that he may be made " strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, (2 Tim. 2:1. cf. Eph. 6:10.) He needs to be watchful, even in prayer, against " self " for the Spirit adds " for all saints." Then are there any in the fore front of the battle in the deadly fight that is going on, as Paul then was, it is added further, "for me."
Lastly I would call attention to two things said of Zebulun, (1 Chron. 12:33).
(1.) " Could keep rank." In my mind I associate this with that which is said in Eph. 5:21 and 1 Peter 5:5 and in contrast with, " Every one, did that which was right in his own eyes," why? Because "In those days there was no king in Israel.' If JESUS is reigning in our hearts we will not want to do what is right, in our own eyes but will he found in subjection to Him and to one another in His fear. And is that not closely connected with what is said of Zebulun.
(2.) "Not of a double heart." I will here simply quote what that little verse says and may the blessed Lord make it good in your heart and mine, beloved fellow-soldier.
" Oh, that strong in faith abiding, We may to the Savior cleave, Naught with Him our hearts dividing, All for Him content to leave!"