Fight the good fight
Those who strive with us in the battle form strong bonds with us. These are the people we count on. Likewise, others involved in the fight need to be able to count on us.
Although I have never personally been in the military, I have close relatives who have. One thing all military personnel have in common is the experience of going through basic training or “boot camp.” The idea of boot camp is to break down any resistance to authority and to train the soldier to follow commands without hesitation and to work together with others as a team. Self reliance and rugged individualism don’t have much of a place in the military. The goal in military training is to break the individual and make a group of soldiers function as one.
Unity
In Philippians 2, the apostle Paul starts off by exhorting the Philippian believers to be of one mind. Essentially, he is telling them to function as one even through hardships. He goes on to cite our Lord as the ultimate example of obedience and humility: putting the objective of His mission, namely others, first. In case we don’t think we can measure up to that supreme example, he then lists other brethren who have modelled some of these same characteristics. One of these men, Epaphroditus, was commended as a fellow soldier. He knew his mission; he put it and others above his own well-being and saw it through. Paul seems to have found a kindred spirit in Epaphroditus and counts him as one who fought bravely with him in the battle.
I find it interesting how many bonds of friendship are made while in the military, particularly through battle. I am amazed to hear stories of the men in World War II. They tell, in detail, of battles and still remember the names and faces of the men who fought alongside them. When your life is on the line and you are facing intense pressure from the enemy, the people around you become memorable. Those who fight beside you in the battle know your deepest fears and your true character. It stands to reason that a strong bond will be formed with those you have trusted with your life.
There is also a camaraderie experienced by military personnel—a sense that you are all pushing toward the same goal. This is experienced whether you are a private or a general, located near home or in a foreign land. You are all fighting for the same thing: victory.
This same is true of the Lord’s army. Joining believers in the battle for men’s souls binds us together. We can enjoy fellowship and a common bond no matter what the task God has called us to. We are to work together in unity (Php. 2:2), not striving to have mastery over one another, but all of us submitting willingly to our Commander-in-Chief, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Fidelity
In 2 Timothy 2:3, we are told to “endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” Soldiers don’t expect to be coddled and comforted. On the battle field, they are fighting for their very existence because they believe in the cause for which they are fighting. Creature comforts such as soft bedding and air conditioning are nowhere to be found. Name brand clothing, the latest technogadget, and fancy cars are irrelevant. War brings what really matters in life into sharp focus. Paul advocates this same principle in verse 4 when he says that no good soldier “entangles himself with the affairs of this life.”
We must remember that the Christian life is a war. We are instructed to daily prepare for battle (Eph. 6:11). When we do God’s work, we face, head on, a fight with the enemy. Those who strive with us in the battle form strong bonds with us. These are the people we count on. Likewise, others involved in the fight need to be able to count on us. Just as we depend on others in the body, they need to be able to depend on us.
The United States Marine Corps has the motto “Semper Fidelis” (or Semper Fi for short), which means “always faithful.” As fellow soldiers for our Lord, I can hardly think of a better phrase for us. In the battle, we have to stand ready as a unit to fight the good fight, undistracted by the world or other matters, always ready to do the task we have been trained to do.
Diversity
Remember, not all soldiers in the army perform the same task. They have a common goal, but not a common function. Some fly airplanes while others repair them. Some are in the heat of the battle while others perform a supporting role. David demonstrated this in 1 Samuel 30, when he allotted the same portion to those who “stayed by the stuff” as to those who followed him into battle. Every believer is called upon to take part in the war effort, but the Lord has a unique role for each of us.
Paul commends Archippus as a fellow soldier in Philemon 2. In Colossians, however, he exhorts Archippus to “Take heed to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it.” I can’t help but wonder if Archippus had gotten the feeling that some of us have had when we start to doubt the relevance of the particular work God has us doing. We question our specific ministry and, if we are not careful, we begin to neglect it. We need to view each ministry, no matter how big or small, as being received from the Lord. That will elevate even the most menial works.
God has a specific purpose for every task He calls us to. It may be a burden to pray for an individual or to encourage a lonely believer or to participate in an evangelistic outreach. Whatever the call, see to it that it is fulfilled and remember: Semper Fi!