The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1944-06-16

wy so.
"a good soldier"-what q wealth
Of meaning there is in that simple
phrase. We think Of our own home
town boys who have distinguished
themselves in the service Of their
country, who have proved again that
there is that in American life which
can meet a crisis and do it well.
"a good soldier Of Jesus Christ"
Is an even more significant phrase,
speaking of that fine loyalty and de-
votion which Christians Of all ages,
yes, and of our day, are giving to
the Captain Of our salvation, our
Commander-in-Ch Chief in the great
spiritual warfare going on in all the
earth.
In our lesson we note that the
soldier is
I. Obeiient (2:1, q.
There Is something to be done,
and the soldier is enlisted for the
purpose of doing it. In the case Of,
the Christian soldier, it is to see that
the gospel message which he has
received is passed on to others.
Personal work is Gods method,
one man telling another, and an
other, and another. This is to be a
continuous matter, not just now and
then, and each one is in turn to be-
come soul-winner.
AS each one wins others and the
witness is multiplied by the law Of
arithmetical progression, the total
result is tremendous.
Why, then, has the entire world
not been long since completely evan
gelized? Because we who are Chris
tians are not all obedient soldiers OF
Christ.
ii. Loyal (2:3, ~.
No soldier can serve well with
divided loyalty. He cannot be rum
ming business back home, or taking
on outside interests to divert his
attention. Being an efficient and
useful soldier is his first and only
business.
Have not the military authorities
in this war asked those who are at
home to keep the problems Of the
home and business out of the letters
to men in the army? Do they not
require a man to leave home and
family and give his all to the serv-
ice?
The soldier for Christ must please
the Lord, even though it involve
bearing ''hardness. It is no soft
and easy business to be soldier.
"Blood, sweat and tears" are the
order Of the day. Shall we not do
as much for our Lord?
HI. Prepared (2:8-12).
Training is of highest importance
for a soldier. He must know what
to do, and why he is doing it. He
must understand the reason for ODE
dience and the purpose Of the war
fare. In other words, he must be q
disciplined man, prepared to serve
effectively.
The soldier for the Lord Is to ''re-
member Jesus Christ" his resur-
rected Lord and victorious Com
mander. He knows for whom and
under whom he fights.
He also knows wv. 10, 11) that
the message he bears is Gods Word,
and will succeed even though the
bearer of it suffer and die. He is
prepared to die, if need be, before
he will. deny his Leader ". f2).
w. Faithful (4:5-7).
Watch, endure, work, be faithful
to the very end. Such is the obliga-
ton, yes, and privilege of the soldier
for Christ. Paul was able to adj
monish young Timothy to such COM
plete faithfulness because he had
himself exemplifed these virtues in
his own life.
Those who are called upon to COM
mand men must themselves be good
soldiers. There is an encouraging
note from the battlefelds of this
great war. One learns that the COM
manding officers are at the front, not
hidden away in dugouts far behind
the lines. The men take courage as
they see the bravery of their officers.
What that meant in Paul's case
may be learned from the story Of
his life, which is condensed in a
brief statement in II Corinthians IL:
1888. He really endured affection
for Christ's sake.
v. Victorious ". 81.
A nation at war can stand the
strain and bear the agony if it can
be sure of ultimate victory. The
grave disappointment of losing bat
tie, or the deep sorrow of heavy
casualties, can and will be borne
for the sake of the final triumph of
the righteous cause.
In the battle for Christ, we know
that the result will be victory. The
faithful soldier shares the fruits of
victory. The Christian soldier shall
one day receive from his Lord and
Leader crown of righteousness.
When will that great day come?
When Jesus Christ returns (Matt.
1920. He is coming again; first
for His own, and then in glorious