26
May '25
Soldiers of the Cross
26
May '25
Introduction: Thank God for our military soldiers fighting for our freedom, willing to give their lives, and sacrifice their families and future. Remember them and their families this MEMORIAL DAY! And yet there is another group of soldiers that need to be REMEMBERED as well – the soldiers of the cross who are waging war against the enemies of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Consider them in this devotion, and if you are a part of the army of the Lord: “THANK YOU”!
1. ENDURANCE! (2 Tim 2:2) – “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.”
While facing the inevitable – martyrdom – Paul urges his faithful son in the Lord, Timothy, to “stay with the stuff” until the finish. His admonition was to “Endure Hardness” as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
Do you remember that Jesus did not quit or give up, but instead completed His task even though He suffered immensely? Howbeit, it was my (our) sins that He was obedient unto death by suffering crucifixion. So whatever you are facing, do not quit or give up serving Jesus!
Do you remember that Jesus did not quit or give up, but instead completed His task even though He suffered immensely? Howbeit, it was my (our) sins that He was obedient unto death by suffering crucifixion. So whatever you are facing, do not quit or give up serving Jesus!
2. PERSEVERANCE! (1 Cor 15:58) – “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
As soldiers under attack from invisible forces, stay faithful and focused. This is not a flesh and blood battle, rather, it is a spiritual war. Therefore, put on God’s armor to fight with all your might against principalities and powers. Thank God, Jesus has won the battle! So technically speaking, we are not fighting for victory but from victory!!
Conclusion: God has called us to be “soldiers of the cross”! So keep fighting the good fight of faith. Endure hardness, persevere under pressure, until the trumpet sounds or we are called from the battlefield.
Love y’all,
Dr. Randy Reese