2 Timothy 2:3–4
3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
The focus…Jesus Christ! This world is not our home. We journey through this world. The world is not our goal. Our goal is eternity with God. We must never give in to the things of this world.
This world is not our home. It is a journey, an experience surrounded by all things that fall short of the glory of God. They are enticing. They take our eyes off God. We become more focused upon them than our journey.
A committed person to Jesus Christ is one who lives his life for Jesus. The follower of Christ does not put worldly lust ahead of God.
Our strength is not found in the things of this world. It is found in God. Our hope is not found in this world. It is found in God.
Paul told Timothy to be strong in the grace of Christ. The old saying says, “When the going gets tough the tough get going.” Paul said to Timothy, “when the going gets tough, look unto God.” We must look up to Christ, not to ourselves nor to other people. We must trust the abundant capability of Christ, not our own strength.
Be prepared. Life is not getting easier. Satan is roaming this world seeking whom he may devour. If you are a follower of Christ, Satan is targeting you.
Proverbs 3:5–6 “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.”
Paul writes to the church in Ephesus, “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:10–12)