Throughout scripture, we are given types or models of how we should conduct ourselves as children of God. Paul uses these three main types of models in 2 Timothy 2:3-7. Throughout the Bible these models are used often to teach us how to walk successfully. These 3 models all have one thing in common – discipline.
Let’s take a look at the farmer. We see this example all the time the gospels talk about the parable of the sower and even in Paul’s letter to the church at Corinth ( 2 Corinthians 9:10) scripture says that he gives seed to the sower and bread for food. So how is a farmer disciplined? The farmer has to sow seed not knowing how much of a harvest he is going to yield. So he hast to discipline himself to do the work knowing that if he doesn’t sow or if he doesn’t plant, he’s guaranteed not to receive a harvest at all. His discipline enables him to go through with the process, trusting that there will be a favorable outcome and learning how to do the work without necessarily having to have some guarantee of a particular outcome. It’s the knowing that there will be no favorable outcome if I don’t do something with this seed. It’s not going to produce a harvest in my hands. It’s only going to produce a harvest when I sow it.
Next, let’s look at the athlete Paul uses this analogy a number of times throughout his teachings (2 Timothy 4:7-8) speaking about how that we are running a race and that we have to take care to be sure how we are running that race. He also uses examples of boxer or a fighter both who have to be disciplined in their training. The athletes success is depended upon his training. He has to discipline himself to train even when it seems that there is no benefit in the moment this training is preparing him for the race or competition and he’s trusting that by disciplining himself to train, he will prepare himself for victory.
Lastly, let’s look at the soldier. Scripture tells us that we are to endure hardship as a good soldier (2 Timothy 2:3). The soldier knows that he has a responsibility and he has a post that he has to maintain. The soldier disciplines himself to follow the instructions or the orders that are given all of the directives, and he doesn’t complain about the instructions that are given because he knows that the success of the mission is depended upon whether he whether or not he follow through with the commands. He doesn’t try to evaluate the commands makes sense to him or everyone else he’s there to carry out a mission, he disciplines himself that the instructions are right and that they are true and they are valid. They must be followed to the letter or the mission fails. He realizes that his life in the lives of his fellow soldiers or the lives of the country or nation that he’s protecting it is dependent upon him successfully, carrying out the orders, disciplining himself to carry out the instructions that have been given. He’s counted the cost before he ever goes into the battle.
So my question to you today and every day is what position will you pick? And it’s OK even if you want to operate in a diversity of positions throughout your day but as you start each day as a child of God, make the determination that you operate either as a soldier an athlete or farmer and make sure that the discipline necessary to carry out those tasks are a part of your, make up or conviction. When we do these things, we will see success in our endeavors to live the kingdom life.