Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. —2 Timothy 2:3, KJV
“INCOMING” is a military term shouted as a warning by the first person to detect incoming enemy fire. Wouldn’t it be nice if we, as Christians, had an early warning system to warn of Satan's impending attack?
We are in a battle, and the enemy can attack from any direction without warning. Apostle Paul used the word “endure” seven of the twenty-nine times it appeared in scripture. He used it, warning Timothy that trouble or "hardness" would come. He also warned him the time would come when people wouldn’t endure sound doctrine.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears (2 Timothy 4:3 KJV).
The Dangers of Being AWOL in the Christian Life
Another term that can be applied to the Christian life is AWOL, which means “Away Without Leave.” Throughout history, soldiers have deserted their units and been listed as AWOL. This can lead to the deaths of soldiers who are required to look for the deserter. When a soldier is “away without leave” in battle, that soldier is at risk, and those assigned to locate them are at risk.
The same can be said of our Christian lives. When Christians aren’t engaged in the battle for lost souls, their conduct puts those souls at risk. Our job as Christian soldiers is to tell those around us about God's love and forgiveness. We must not refuse to carry out our mission and “fight the good fight of faith" (1 Timothy 6:12). The world is counting on us.
The Call to Stand Firm: Our Role in Spiritual Warfare
If we become MIA or “missing in action,” someone must fill our place, and we will answer to our commander concerning our absence. Paul said in 1 Timothy 1:18, we're in warfare. In 1 Samuel 17:47, scripture tells us, “The battle is the Lord’s.” Therefore, we can't afford to be missing in action or away without leave.
Our loved ones, friends, and folks we don’t know are watching to see what kind of soldier we are. Jesus said in John 16:33 we would have tribulation in the world. We might as well expect it. He also said, “I have overcome the world.” He said this so that in him—we could have peace.
Prayer: Dear Lord, please search my heart and show me where I need to improve in my walk with you so that I’m NOT AWOL. God, help me to put on my armor and show up for battle in the spiritual world. Make me more like you. Amen.
Your turn: Are you AWOL or MIA, or are you the faithful watchman on the wall? Are you warning all around you of Satan's attacks and God's impending judgment? Does your life give proof of God’s love, forgiveness, and sustaining grace? Or does your life demonstrate a weak God who can't keep you in battle? What kind of soldier are you?
I especially like your thoughts on this piece, Katherine. It's not enought to just go through the motions. We are called to act as Christians each day. When we fail, which is human because we're all imperfect, we're letting God down. The beauty is that God gives us another chance to do the right thing each day.