Todd White – Becoming a Christian Soldier
Please open your Bibles to 2 Timothy 2, as we’ll begin there shortly. Before we dive into today’s message, I’d like to reflect on something Dan shared earlier that was profoundly impactful. It truly felt as though my faith was being renewed all over again—what a blessing that teaching was! I even joked with him about picking up some of my expressions, and it’s incredible to see how we all grow and influence one another in our walk with Christ.
As we engage with Scripture, it’s important to recognize that following Jesus often leads to misunderstanding, criticism, and even rejection. In today’s culture, there’s immense pressure to seek validation through likes, shares, and approval from others. But as followers of Christ, our identity and worth are rooted in God’s love alone, not in human accolades. When we start to rely on others’ approval, we risk watering down the truth, tailoring our message to please people rather than staying faithful to God’s Word.
This tendency toward people-pleasing isn’t new. Consider what would happen if Jesus had a social media page. Imagine Him posting, “Your ancestors ate manna in the wilderness, but it was not Moses who provided it; it was My Father. The bread that came down from heaven—that was Me.” It’s likely that post wouldn’t be flooded with likes. And when Jesus taught that His flesh and blood were true food and drink, many people couldn’t handle it. They walked away, leaving only His core disciples. It’s a powerful reminder that God’s truth often challenges human understanding and cultural norms.
The Bible clearly states that anyone who seeks to live a godly life will face persecution. If we never experience pushback or opposition, we must ask ourselves whether we are truly living out our faith. Being a disciple of Christ means walking a path that is narrow and often countercultural. It’s not always comfortable, but it’s the way to genuine peace—peace that surpasses all understanding, peace that the world cannot offer.
Let’s take these truths to heart and commit to walking the narrow road, knowing that our strength and purpose come from Christ alone. In doing so, we won’t be defined by the world’s approval or criticism, but by our faithfulness to God’s calling.
