A good soldier forsakes all (2 Timothy 2:1–5). He is faithful and strives lawfully. By faith Moses chose to suffer affliction with the people of God. (Hebrews 11:25)
Moses forsook five things:
The wealth of Egypt
The honour of Egypt
The authority of Egypt
The pleasures of Egypt
The joy of Egypt
Moses chose five things:
The reproach of Christ
Suffering
Shame
Affliction
Bondage (to God)
Qualities of a Good Soldier
Is temperate in all things (1 Corinthians 9:25) and produces the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23).
Abstains from fleshly lusts (1 Peter 2:11; Proverbs 23:1–2; Luke 21:34).
Forsakes the old nature (Ephesians 4:20–22).
Loves God above all (Matthew 10:37) and thereby loves all equally. Does the will of God; his family consists of those who do the will of God (Mark 3:35).
Protects his heart from hardening (Hebrews 3:12–13).
Does not provoke, grieve or tempt God (Psalm 78:40–41).
Never looks back (Luke 9:62). Looks toward the high calling of God in Christ Jesus* and presses on (Philippians 3:14).
What will you choose today, dear saint? Will you choose to live for Jesus? There is only one way. The Father had mercy on us and restored us to the right path through Jesus. He has given us His Spirit to keep us on that path until the end. Be the soldier God has called you to be!
Maranatha, praise God, and Amen.
