God’s Word gives us wisdom to live wisely as human existence in this world is only temporary and many things we aspire and acquire in this world vanishes immediately after we depart.  If we live wisely, we can leave behind enduring marks along our life’s journey which cannot be erased by time. Good works of a righteous man follows him to eternity.

Rev. 19:8: “And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.”

A life well lived requires certain disciplines in life. Paul as he writes this letter to Timothy at the time of his imprisonment in Rome, makes this fact clear to Timothy. To explain this, he uses three examples from life: 

1. A Soldier (2Tim 2:3)
2. An Athlete (2Tim 2:5)
3. A Farmer (2Tim 2:6)

All the three examples give us a clear understanding about how to operate and live in order to achieve the goal of our life. 

Soldier:
Soldier is called to fight for the kingdom he belongs. We Christians are called to fight for the Kingdom of His son Jesus Christ which is the kingdom of Light. But to be in the battlefield, we need real discipline in life, without which a soldier will not prevail. Enthusiasm will bring one to the field of activity but discipline will make him endure in the battle. Endurance can be had only when we are focused and disciplined. Christian discipline matures a person and separates him from the normal course of life. He will be only tuned to the voice of his Captain! 2Tim. 2:4: “No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.”

An Athlete:
For an athlete to receive the crown, he needs to compete according to the rules. We as Christians are called to run the race with rules. The race is already marked out. It is the narrow way that leads up to eternity. Matt. 7:13-14:  "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
In order to run this path which is full of obstacles we need to be really trained well in the way of the cross. Many despise this truth and make their own rules for running and perish because any rule marked out by us leads us to the broad way. But the Lord Himself has kept a way that will lead us to the shores of eternity where we will receive the crown of victory. 

A Farmer:
The farmer has to work really hard, in order to see the results, he is awaiting. He cannot forgo his field at any time. He needs to have constant watch and work tirelessly till he harvests the field. So likewise, we need to take care of our own field as well as those who are with us. It involves patient work. Unless there is patience the farmer will never reap the benefit!
 As workers in God’s Kingdom, let us strive to measure up to all the above admonitions given by Paul.

Note: Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.  (2Timothy 2:15)