Charges for Living

2 Timothy 2:3-7    
3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. 5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. 7 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.

These charges is for all who follow Christ and are so engaged in the war against us in Him.  We are to persevere when hard times come, not seek to avoid them by disengagement from the task at hand which is the gospel.  As good soldiers we must engage the enemy head on with the words of life and truth, not getting so caught up in the daily affairs of living and cultural pulls that we neglect to be pleasing to our Commander and Lord.  Likewise, if we run this race towards the prize of the upward call in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:13-15), we cannot live lawlessly and still expect to win the race.  We must run well according to the rules God sets, not man, and we dare not think that we are not obligated to obey because of grace.  No, because of grace we must thankfully please Him who calls.  Finally the idea of being farmers in God’s field should motivate us to work hard for the kingdom of God, not our own, if we expect any fruitfulness.  Then we will reap that harvest now and in eternity (Psalm 126:5-6).  Lackadaisical farmers cultivate a poor crop filled with weeds and little to eat.  By being about our Father’s business, we should be mindful of the harvest season.  In the end, we are exhorted to think hard and long on these things as Timothy was told, for this applies to all who follow Christ, we who look to Him for the understanding of all scripture.