Pleasing our Commander

Paul instructs Timothy to be willing to suffer for the cause of Christ, specifically using military terms (2 Timothy 2:3-4). His warning about not getting entangled in worldly affairs is similar to his admonitions about marriage in 1 Corinthians 7:32-35. The day you say, "I do," is the day you give up certain rights (1 Corinthians 7:3-5).

As with soldiers in a worldly military, God wants us to be able to do what he calls us to do without hesitation.

We must never forget that we are in a war. But our war is different at several levels.

Consider the dialogue between the Lord Jesus and leading politician of his place and time, Pontius Pilate (John 18:33-38).

Politics is the art of deception as can be seen in Pontius Pilate's cynical question in John 18:38, "What is truth?"

"Politics is the art of appearing candid and completely open, while concealing as much as possible" (Brian Herbert, Kevin J. Anderson (2001), "The States: Bene Gesserit View," Dune: House Corrino, (New York: Bantam Books), p. 267).

But the Kingdom of our Lord Jesus Christ is a transparent kingdom, whose weapons differ radically from those of the kingdoms of this world (2 Corinthians 10:3-5).