The Bible in our opening scripture says, “Take [with me] your share of the hardships and suffering [which you are called to endure] as a good (first-class) soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:3 AMPC). The Apostle Paul said this to show the reality of Christian life—a life that produces spiritual results. To make this even clearer, he went on in verse 4: “No soldier when in service gets entangled in the enterprises of [civilian] life; his aim is to satisfy and please the one who enlisted him.” (2 Timothy 2:4 AMPC). The NIV puts it simply: “No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs—but rather tries to please their commanding officer.”

This is what makes a real Christian stand out. A Christian who produces spiritual results is actively living for Christ—soulwinning, changing lives, and bringing people into God’s kingdom. Any Christian who does not win souls is just living as a natural man, producing no spiritual results. True Christianity produces results in people's lives.

A soldier does not get involved in civilian affairs. In the same way, as Christ's soldier, you cannot let yourself become tied up in worldly matters. The CEV explains it in simple terms: “Soldiers on duty don't work at outside jobs. They try only to please their commanding officer”. The GNT adds, “A soldier on active duty wants to please his commanding officer and so does not get mixed up in the affairs of civilian life”.

What is Paul communicating here? He is showing us the difference between an ordinary person and a true Christian. A true Christian is dead to the world. To live a life of soulwinning, you cannot be a normal person—you must be fully committed to Christ.

To be a soulwinner, there is a price. A real soulwinner produces spiritual results, changes lives. You can reach a broken person, a lost soul, someone far from God, and when they come into contact with you, the word you share moves them. They break down, repent, and follow Christ. In that moment, your life becomes a real light—a living testimony. Christ literally lives through you.

But this life will cost you something. You will not have many friends. It is a lonely life because very few people are willing to sacrifice completely for Jesus. You cannot be on social media everyday and keep updates with all the happenings in the lives of people that don't even know you and expect to make impact or produce spiritual results. You would only deceive yourself. True Christianity flourishes most in death—to self, to worldly desires, and to earthly popularity. This is the life of a soldier of Christ, a life that makes external impact.

So take up your cross, live for Christ, and focus on winning souls. Let your life glorify God. This is the kind of Christianity that produces spiritual results—a life fully surrendered to Christ.