2 Timothy 2:1-2 – “You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2 The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”  NASB

I know what it is like to be in a War Zone in the natural and in the spiritual.  I’ve had some people say to me, “You don’t sound like a preacher you sound like a soldier.”  Well, in truth, you cannot remove the training and experience in the War Zone from my life.  God has used and is using it to shape me into what I am and what He desires. 

There are things I learned and experience in the natural war zone that has proven to be beneficial in the spiritual war zone.  I acknowledge that virtually all believers get a taste of the ‘Spiritual War Zone’ but all do not Function there or at least not effectively.  It takes fierce determination, an understanding of the strategies of the enemy and an understanding of our weapons and equipping.  It takes that but there is one thing more that is absolutely essential and that is Faithfulness!

Consider what Paul says to his spiritual son Timothy in verse 2 – “The things which you have heard from me…”  In the KJV it is rendered ‘of me’ the Greek word is [pa-ra] = alongside, partnership, side-by-side relationship.  It is the same word used to describe the ministry of the Holy Spirit in [John 14:26; 15:26; 16:7] The Holy Spirit reveals the heart of the Father as He walks with us and resides in us.  It is a Covenant relationship!  He is the ‘Paraklete’ and there is no one closer to you than Him!

Timothy had been there with Paul in good times and bad.  He had worked alongside the apostle.  Paul reminds him “the things you have learned by virtue of our close, long-standing, side-by-side relationship.  You have been mentored.”  This was not a teacher-student classroom experience with one lecturing and the other taking notes for a test.  This was an actual ministry.  It was the ministry of covenant. It was walking together in good times and bad.  In 2 Timothy 3:10 Paul declares, “But you (Timothy) have Fully Known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience.”  Paul says in verse two above – “what you have learned, commit to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.”

Simply, “Timothy, you know what I’ve done for you.  Now go and do the same for others.  You have been disciple now it is time for you to disciple.”  This is the principle of reproduction.  God always expects reproduction.  What we receive we are to give.  What we learn we are to demonstrate and teach.  Remember Jesus said in Matthew 10:8 – “…Freely you have received, freely give…”

I was teaching on this once and had someone interrupt me saying, “But Timothy had been hurt!”  I paused and asked, “Was Paul ever hurt?  Was Jesus ever hurt?  How is being hurt a justification for drawing back?”  We are supposed to be pulling down strongholds and taking ground for the kingdom not going into hiding or isolation. 

If we faint in the time of adversity our strength is small.  In verse one Paul charges Timothy to be “strong in the grace that is Jesus Christ.”  If we do not have a good connection to the flow of ‘supernatural enablement’ we must ask why?  Is it because of our relationship, trust, revelation?  What?  It is imperative that we truly See Jesus to truly Trust Him!

Making disciples is a commission that each of us has been given and that works at all levels of leadership and responsibility in the kingdom and life.  In Matthew 28 our Lord said, “Go therefore and make disciples…”  That is not a suggestion but a commandment.  That commission cannot be fulfilled outside the context of faithfulness through committed covenant relationships.  It is time-consuming to make disciples.  It involves commitment and sacrifice.  It can be and usually is incredibly painful but equally joyous.  It is risk-filled. 

My question is not if you are in the War Zone but are you a committed warrior?  If you are then do not shy away from the task at hand of making disciples.  Jesus instructed us to pray to the Lord of Harvest that He would send forth laborers into His harvest.  The harvest is plenty but the laborers are few.  Be a committed warrior making disciples who are or will be committed warriors. 

God bless you as you go through your day!