Living the Christian life is not a cakewalk. It’s not peaches and cream or sunshine and roses. There are blessings to be had, but you won’t have “your best life now” just because you’re following Him. Following Christ is hard. It involves counting the cost, and it will cost you. It means taking up your own cross. It means dying to yourself and suffering as He did, for His name’s sake. Be prepared.
Paul gave instructions to Timothy, the young man in Ephesus who was pastoring the church. He told Timothy “to be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus (2 Tim 2:1).” He was going to need power to lead the people, live the Christian life, and stand for truth among false teachers and false doctrine. This power would come from God’s grace: knowing that God loves us, forgives us, helps us, and saves us gives us the strength we need to endure and complete the task He gives. If you are His, He loves you. He forgives you. He helps you. He saves you. You can do whatever He calls you to do through Him who strengthens you. Don’t give up.
Paul then gave Timothy three examples of what it means to be strong, work hard, and persevere to the end. “Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops (2 Tim 2:3-6).” Soldiers, athletes, and farmers all make sacrifices. They rise early and stay up late to train, stand guard, and work hard. They face the enemy and are fully devoted to their goal, with a single mind and purpose, with a whole heart. They are disciplined and face hardship every moment. This is the Christian life.
Victory is coming for the dedicated soldier. The gold medal prize will be awarded to the athlete who wins. Bountiful crops will be harvested for the farmer. Until then, we suffer. We persevere and endure. We fight on. It’s not easy, but things that are worthy don’t come easy. If it were easy, everyone would do it. Today is the day to press on. Be strengthened by His grace to you; be the soldier, athlete, and farmer He calls you to be. Be ready to suffer, and do the good works He has prepared for you to do. The Christian life is not safe or glorious, but it ends well, in victory and glory, to hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”