A Soldier, an Athlete and a Farmer

God's grace in Christ Jesus is the battlefield, the athletic arena and the farmer's ground. The faithful who labor therein willingly suffer privation as a soldier, discipline themselves as an athlete and patiently labor as a farmer. They gladly do this for the grace of God. Paul used five pictures to call Timothy and all of God's elect to faithfulness. These three tell of the necessary disposition for worship and serve.