Good Soldiers by J. LAMONT

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Nov 14, 1871

Good Soldiers.

By J. LAMONT

“Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” 2 Tim. 2:3.

When a man enters the service of an earthly government as a soldier, he obligates himself to obey all laws, rules, and regulations, of that government; and, also, to accept such food, clothing, and wages, as it stipulates, or is able to give him.

If he is a good soldier, will he grumble or complain at the duties assigned him? He knew, before he enlisted, that there would be hard battles, toilsome marches, lonely, weary, and sometimes dangerous, guard duty. All these, and many other hardships must he endure; else he is not a good soldier. If he deserts, death is the penalty.

The Christian is called a soldier of Jesus Christ. When a person enters the service of “the Prince of the kings of the earth,” is he under a less solemn obligation to obey his laws, perform the duties he assigns him, and accept the toils and dangers of the way without murmur or complaint, than the soldier of the earthly government? If he refuses to perform his duties or performs them negligently, (becomes lukewarm), is he a good soldier? If he deserts, (backslides), is he a good soldier? No; and he must forfeit his life, unless he speedily returns and sues for pardon. And then, indeed, would it not take him a long time to gain his former standing?

Let us, then, dear reader, heed the injunction now, “endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ,” and soon he will promote us to be “kings and priests,” and we shall reign with him a thousand years, until this earth is purified and made ready to receive the “holy city,” and becomes the permanent residence of all the good soldiers of Jesus Christ. J. LAMONT.

Kansas.