Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer. Similarly, anyone who competes as an athlete does not receive the victor’s crown except by competing according to the rules. The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops.

2 Timothy 2:3-6

In this text, Paul uses three pictures of the Christian life. First, the soldier (vs 3,4): ‘endure hardship’6 suggests pain and suffering as part of the Christian’s lot in life. That will inevitably happen as we engage in warfare against evil. Second, the athlete (v 5): Paul is fond of athletic metaphors. Christians must be good spiritual athletes. The goal of an athlete is to ‘receive the victor’s crown,’ but only if an athlete competes ‘according to the rules.’ Third, Paul speaks of the farmer (vs 6,7): pastors must sow the seed and cultivate. Paul emphasizes hard work and diligence.

CLOSING PRAYER

Gracious God, I confess that there are times when following you is hard and I am daunted by the challenge; there are times when reward is slow in coming and I grow weary waiting. Help me to persevere, to never lose sight of the rewards you have promised.

(from Encounter with God)