Receive every week
ROYAL LETTER
A message from the Kingdom, every week, in your inbox.
“Suffer with me as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.” That’s what the apostle Paul tells Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:3. But tell me, do you even know what that means? Being a good soldier of Jesus Christ is not some spiritual slogan! It’s a radical commitment, a lifestyle forged in the presence of God, in prayer, discipline, sacrifice, and faithfulness.
So I ask you: are you a good soldier or just a bystander in God’s army? Are you ready to suffer with Christ, standing as a soldier on the frontline? Paul isn’t speaking from a comfy living room with a cup of tea. No, he’s writing from prison. He’s in chains, maybe with dirty hands, but with a burning heart and a clear mission. And you? What are you doing with your freedom?
He says to Timothy: “Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. The things you have heard from me… entrust to faithful men.” Then he adds: “Suffer with me.” And not just any way. He specifies: “As a good soldier.” And I emphasize: not a mediocre or half-hearted soldier, not a corrupt or religious soldier, no. He says as a good soldier. That’s what God is looking for in this generation: good soldiers, solid, well-trained, disciplined, rooted in the Word. Young people who walk with fire and firmness, who don’t look left or right, but move forward, focused!
The good soldier doesn’t live in distraction. He doesn’t chase after noise, trends, or the latest social media posts. He’s completely uninterested in pleasing the world because his goal is to please the One who enlisted him. Paul, in prison, wasn’t focused on his suffering. His focus was Timothy. His focus was the Gospel. He says: “I suffer, but I keep training, building, equipping.” Why? Because he had a focus. And you?
Do you wake up each morning knowing why you live? Or are you walking aimlessly, depending on the weather, your friends’ mood, or the latest popularity trend? A good soldier doesn’t have time to waste time. He walks straight. When he enters a room, his presence announces authority. Boom! He carries a presence. His life has weight, meaning, impact. When he speaks, something happens. Because he is filled with the Spirit of God. He lives with intention, with mission.
And you’ll recognize him easily: these good soldiers are the ones who stand when the generation is collapsing. While some are crumbling under compromise, they stand tall. Easy? No. But that’s what it means to be deeply rooted in the Word. To stand firm. The good soldier stands, even under blows. He doesn’t back down. He holds firm. He moves forward. He fights. Why? Because he knows where he comes from and where he’s going. He’s not tossed around by every wind of doctrine. He is firm like a rock. And if you want to become that good soldier, the first key I want to give you is: discipline.
Say it again: discipline. Not that twisted idea in your head of the school monitor with a whip. No. The discipline I’m talking about is the discipline of a disciple. You can’t be a disciple without discipline. The words are connected. A disciple is someone who follows training, instruction, teaching to become like his Master. And our Master is Christ!
Being disciplined is learning to say “no” to yourself so you can say “yes” to God. It’s not just showing up at church every Sunday or warming a chair. No. It’s obeying God, His Word, following His instructions, walking with consistency. It’s mastering your body, your urges, your impulses. It’s standing strong in sanctification, day after day. And I repeat: day after day! Not seasonal sanctification, not a monthly Christian mood. It’s a life of constant discipline. It’s walking like a king. Remember? A king reigns. He rules, he doesn’t get ruled. So why would your body reign over you? Take charge! Reign over your thoughts. Reign over your desires. Reign over your emotions! Tell your hormones: “Be quiet! The Holy Spirit is in charge here.”
Yes, the Christian life is a battle. But listen: this battle was already won by Jesus on the cross. We’re just replaying a match that’s already been won. He triumphed. But your role is to apply that victory. You must stand firm, have the courage to go against the current, the courage to say “no” where everyone else says “yes.” When everyone applauds sin, you stay standing, faithful to your God.
This David-like courage is what God wants to see in you. David was young, but he was filled with God. He didn’t let Goliath insult the army of God. He stood up, he spoke, he fought and he won. That’s courage. It’s not about age. It’s not about muscles. It’s about fire in the heart. No matter your story, God can make you a true David of your generation, if you accept to suffer with Christ like a good soldier.
A good soldier is faithful. He stays, even when things heat up. Even when people betray him. Even when mockery rains down. He doesn’t let go of Jesus. He doesn’t abandon his faith. He doesn’t betray his church. He doesn’t cut off spiritual connections because of offense. He stays. He is faithful. He honors his commitments to God. He remains attached to the vision, the body, the brother, the sister. He is loyal. In the secret place. Even when no one sees.
And he is enduring. He holds on. Even when the blows come. He keeps walking. He doesn’t give up. He endures. Bad news? He prays. Disappointment? He worships. Injustice? He blesses. That’s endurance. It’s inner strength forged in pain, in sleepless nights spent on his knees crying out to God. It’s in your ability not to quit that God builds a solid ministry.
And finally, he is vigilant. Not naive. He discerns the wrong voices. He knows how to spot a Sanballat disguised as a brother. He knows when someone comes to divide, to poison the heart. He guards the walls. He watches in prayer. His spirit is on alert! You want to be a good soldier? Then be a watchman. Be focused. Be clear-headed! You don’t follow just anyone in the Kingdom! You don’t board every boat. You observe, you pray. Then you commit, fully aware.
Listen carefully: no soldier wins the war alone. It’s not “just me and God.” That’s not biblical. God’s army is a united army. Hand in hand, foot to foot. You lift your brother up. You go after the one who stopped showing up. You pray for your discouraged comrade. You refuse to worship while a brother is sinking. A good soldier helps the wounded, lifts up the fallen. He carries burdens, like Aaron and Hur supporting Moses so that victory would keep flowing over Israel.
And when you build that in yourself, you become a Timothy. You’re no longer a Demas. Demas walked away. Why? Because he didn’t want to be a disciple. He wanted blessings without training. He wanted to walk near Paul but not be trained by Paul. He ran at the first cost. He loved this present age. But Timothy remained.
The goal is not just to know Jesus. It’s to become like Him, to be formed in His image through obedience, discipline, faith, total surrender, shared suffering, and tears poured out on the altar. Jesus wants soldiers. Not spiritual tourists. Focused soldiers. Soldiers ready to suffer, to pay the price to see glory revealed. Are you ready to suffer with Christ? Are you ready to embody a disciple?
Lord Jesus, I want to become a good soldier. Give me discipline, stability, courage, and faithfulness. Teach me to live for You. To walk according to Your heart. To keep my focus on my mission. I offer You my youth as a living sacrifice. Transform my life so that I may resemble Christ, in my thoughts, my words, my choices, and my actions. In the mighty name of Jesus, amen!
🙏 If you’ve never received the life of Jesus, pray this prayer with faith:
Lord Jesus, I acknowledge that I need You. I believe You died for my sins and that You rose again. Today, I accept You as my Lord and Savior. Transform my life and lead me on Your path. Amen.
- 2 Timothy 2:3 – Suffer with me as a good soldier of Jesus Christ
- 1 Corinthians 9:27 – I beat my body and make it my slave…
- Joshua 1:9 – Be strong and courageous…
- Ephesians 6:10–17 – The armor of the spiritual soldier
- Romans 12:1 – The living sacrifice
- Luke 9:23 – Take up your cross daily
📽️ Want to go deeper? To watch the full video: Click here.
📌 Did you just say the prayer to give your life to Jesus? Click here.
📌 Did this article deeply impact you? To share your testimony: click here.
✉️ Would you like to contribute with a gift or an offering? Click here