HARDNESS

2 Timothy 2:3-5 (KJV)
“3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.
5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.”
To become and do what God has called us to, it takes the discipline of a solider and a course of achievement to master the work He has put in our hearts to do. Sher talent is not enough. There is a difference between power and authority. Power is the ability to act; authority is the right to act. The masteries God calls us to must be obtained “lawfully.” For us to wear the crown in our masteries we must have been submissive to authority to graciously carry the authority.
A good soldier will endure the hardness of being told what to do and how to do it. Soldiers do not have the privilege to size up those leading them. Our talent may possess great ability; nonetheless, it is of no value if it is not tempered with loyalty and submission. Elisha’s double portion came as Elijah exited. Elisha left his life to have a life with Elijah and Jesus calls us to the same course of action – we must lose our life to have a life with Jesus.