2 Timothy 2.1-4 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also. Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
There are two types of Christians. One is a scholar, and the other is a soldier. A scholar looks at Scripture and seeks to define how to live the Christian life. Having done that, they are now on a mission to engage and confront others in conversation about the “correct way” to love Jesus, live for Him, reach the lost and share the gospel. Scholars are only interested in making a point and winning a debate. They are heady, high minded and critical of those “other Christians” who do not share their views or seek to follow Christ according to their religious philosophy and terminology.
A soldier on the other hand looks at Scripture and the life of Christ. They are moved with passion to follow His example. They read His Word and have one goal in mind. To live for Christ. To worship Him 24/7. To share the gospel with their lives and their lips. They seek to impact others for Christ in their daily lives. They are men and women of prayer. They are in the spiritual trenches of life, weeping with those who weep, rejoicing with those who rejoice. They live for Christ and fellowship with any and all others who have no other agenda in life but to love Him and serve Him.
A scholar mentality is bent on making clones after their denominational movement’s terminology and way of living out the Christian life. Scholars tend to huddle together with others who are likeminded; who share the same “we have arrived” attitude about what it means to live the true Christian life.
A soldier is bent on being a disciple of Jesus with any and all others who are living for Christ 24/7. They have not arrived in all there is to know about Christ, church and the gospel.
We need more soldiers and less scholars in the body of Christ, because a scholar is only interested in making a point for their theology. They shoot at fellow Christians. They are the devil’s delight.
Soldiers are only interested in making a difference in this world for the glory of God. They annoy the enemy who only comes to divide, devour and destroy the body of Christ.
Be a soldier for Jesus, beloved.
