Mission Accomplished

2Timothy 4:5 “But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”

I think that you will agree with me when I say that everyone who teaches the word of God has their own style of teaching. Even though all pastors share the same gift, the Holy Spirit designs it specifically for the individual. Most pastors use their personality, perceptions, and personal life experience to help the hearers gain a better understanding of the message that God intends for them to hear. When the Word of God becomes personal, the people listening profit because they can relate to the principles that are being taught by the pastor.

I tend to use a great deal of military analogies because I can relate my personal military experience to Scripture and gain a better understanding, not only for my self, but also for those who are listening.

The Apostle Paul also used a great deal of military analogies in his writings due to his experiences with the Roman military. During Paul’s house arrest, he was chained to a different soldier every eight hours. This experience gave him the ability to relate the Christian way of life to soldiering in the military.

New soldiers arriving at basic training are humbled, disciplined by consistent training, and taught to submit to the authority of their superiors. In this verse alone, there are four military style commands. When receiving a command from a ranking officer, the subordinate must obey the order. Paul, called to be an Apostle, writing under the influence and inspiration of the Holy Spirit is absolutely speaking with God given authority. Paul commands us to be sober (be sound in judgment), endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, and fulfill our ministry.

To be sound in judgment is to have a mind that is transformed by the word of God. Hearing the word is the first step of transformation.

To endure hardship, you must trust in the promises of God. To trust is to believe that the word of God is absolute truth, infalliable, and one hundred percent trustworthy.

To “do the work of an evangelist” is to obey the Great commission by applying the command of Jesus Christ,"MakeDisciples".

“fulfill your ministry.” Fulfilling is synonymous with completing. As a Christian soldier, you are are expected to complete the mission that God has given you. If you hear the word of God, believe what you hear, and apply what you believe, then God will complete His plan for your life by fulfilling the ministry that He appointed you before the creation of the world.

Hearing, believing, applying, and completing are the keys to a life of faith. When you see your Savior, in all His glory, don't you want Him to say, "Well done fatihful and loyal servant. Mission Complete!!"? Take the time to study the Word and get to know Jesus Christ, believe Him to be absolute truth, and live His life by applying His mind to all situations in life. God will complete His Word in you by conforming you into HIS image, and that is truly MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!!!!!!!!