Text - 2 Timothy 2:3-4
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.
One of my personal favorite allegories of the Christian life is that of being a soldier. Songs I love to sing are; “Onward Christian Soldier” and the famous Hausa song, “Soldiorji kun gaji ne”. This week, I’ve been pondering on an old hymn which I love a lot - “It Pays to Serve Jesus” by Eli G. Christy. Let’s dive in;
It pays to serve Jesus, I speak from my heart;
He’ll always be with us, if we do our part;
It pays to Serve Jesus! What a bold statement!
Serving Jesus is not a reward less journey and God is not a saddist! Our Father is not a horrible or toxic boss. He cares for his own and serving him has rewards.
Amongst other rewards, serving him is an act of storing up treasures in heaven where moths do not destroy. God also delivers, protects, answers and honors those who follow him. In addition, he satisfies them with Long life and shows them his salvation.
There’s naught in this wide world can pleasure afford,
There’s peace and contentment in serving the Lord.
A famous bible verse asks, “For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”
There is a limit to the pleasure we can get in this world. There is a bar to the satisfaction the world can give us. But with God is the peace that surpasses all understanding. In his presence is fullness of joy and pleasures forever more.
One of my favourite childhood songs which is the basic philosophy of the donut man says, “Life without Jesus is like a donut. With a hole in the middle of the heart”. Our Lives are empty without him.
I love Him far better than in days of yore,
I’ll serve Him more truly than ever before;
I’ll do as He bids me, whatever the cost,
I’ll be a true soldier — I’ll die at my post.
This is our declaration. That if serving Jesus is everything and all that truly matters, then we will do it wholeheartedly.
Like Soldiers in an army, we are God’s army. His soldiers, his ambassadors, his emissaries, the salvation army. With Jesus at the helm commanding, we take over the earth for God’s glory. Let us fight and never retire!
Our Motto? Bring the lost souls home