“No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier” (2 Timothy 2:4).
The Lord has placed it on my heart in recent times that we all must prioritize our lives and activities each day we live.
What do I mean by that? I mean we must reevaluate everything we’re involved in: work, hobbies, church (yes, we all have our place in the Body of Christ and in order to be the most effective in the purpose of God, we must accurately be in place putting our hands to what He has designed and desired for us to do), etc. Asking ourselves: “Is this God’s plan for me?”
Let’s go a little deeper. We’re all aware of warfare, it touches each of our lives every day; and I’m convinced we’ll never see an end to it in this lifetime. On the battle field the soldier is completely focused on what he’s doing there. He’s not juggling between this activity and that, his total being is involved in the goal of warfare; defeating his enemy and establishing what he’s gone to war for. He’s been enlisted to accomplish a job for his country and government. To be most effective, a good soldier cannot even touch with his thought life what’s happening elsewhere; the economy, job lay-offs and so on, his focus must be the ‘job’ he has been enlisted to do.
We who are in the Body of Christ have been enlisted as well. Our Lord and Master has given us instruction to occupy until He comes (see Luke 19:13). The term ‘occupy’ in this reference is a military term and it means to maintain possession and control of a place. Jesus has already conquered the realm of darkness and made an open show of them. In fact, through death He rendered powerless, entirely idle and useless the devil, who had the power of death (see Colossians 2:15 [NKJV] & Hebrews 2:14 [WNT] also Strongs). He has already taken possession and control, our job is to maintain what He has already accomplished through His death, burial and resurrection. We are His Body, He’s the head, but we are His hands, feet and so forth. Now we’ve been commissioned to go and do His works. To better put it: we are called to be ambassadors for the Kingdom of Heaven (see 2 Corinthians 5:20).
An ambassador is a diplomatic official and resident representative of another kingdom or country. They have full authority to act in behalf of the kingdom they are from. Paul wrote, “our citizenship is in heaven” (Philippians 3:20a). Then Jesus, before He ascended into Heaven, commanded His disciples to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” (Mark 16:15 & Matthew 10:8).
My question at this point is why don’t we see more of our job-description being lived out? Could it be (at least one of the reasons) that we have been entangled with the affairs of this life? Our own little empire? ‘Us four and no more’? While those around us are suffering the effects of the fear of death Jesus died to release them from!?!?
I’m not pointing any fingers, we’ve all been guilty of being internalized and ‘what about me?’ plagued. So much so that we’ve come up with every excuse in the book why we shouldn’t invade somebody else’s space and get into their business about their need for a Savior. After all, it wouldn’t be politically correct to announce there’s only one true God and He “commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained” (Acts 17:30b-31a).
Don’t be weighed down by these words, let them lift you unto action. I’m not saying we must quit our jobs, leave our families and launch out into the world to preach the gospel. Let your life preach the goodness of God right where you’re at. Just make sure your attitude and focus are that of identifying with Christ and what He’s asking (requiring) of you this last hour. The Great Day we all long for is coming (soon) and we’ll have to give an account for the things we’ve done while in these bodies of ours.
Here’s some helpful things to think on: “you are not your own, you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:19b-20). “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Galatians 2:20a). “Whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” (Colossians 3:23). Lastly, Paul wrote, “For though I am free from men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more” (1 Corinthians 9:19). These will untangle any life! Bless you!
I feel so much hapiper now I understand all this. Thanks!
You are so welcome! I like to refer to the Bible as a Book filled with pieces (like what you put together in a puzzle), as you put them together you see a greater picture of just how great our God really is!