This month one hundred years ago, Europe slid into war with Germany. On August 12 the British declared war and that brought Canada into the conflict. Suddenly every city and town in the country was busy drumming up men to go and fight. People stepped forward by the thousands. They thought the war would only last a few months and everybody would come home. Little did they know it would take four agonizing years, then six more in WW2. But they went willingly; they felt it was their duty.

People felt strongly about their duty in the first half of the 20th century when there was so much war. In Canada today, many seem to chaff at duty, as if it’s a boring relic of another age. The only duty some people feel is to themselves and whatever makes them happy. Sadly, we can be that way as Christians.
Using familiar military terms, Paul told Timothy to “suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Tim.2:3). He told him that no soldier is effective if he lets the affairs of everyday life entangle him to the point he becomes distracted. Read the rest of the chapter to gain the full thought.
Does our duty to Jesus Christ and His people suffer because we are busy pleasing ourselves? When we’re tired from working all day, do we let ourselves forget about our duty to God’s people and just stay home during class times? What is your duty? Duty means we must “please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.” Are you an effective soldier for Jesus Christ?

– Tim Johnson