6/4/10 2 Timothy 2-3
Entanglements
(2 Ti 2:4)4No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier.
In this second chapter of 2 Timothy Paul is encouraging the younger Timothy to be strong and persevere in his labor for Christ Jesus. Paul then uses three metaphors of individuals who must be single minded in their devotion if they are going to succeed in their profession.
First, a soldier while in active service does not get entangled with the affairs of this life. He is separated from family and friends for the purpose of preparation or military battle. His desire should be to please his superiors and to accomplish the mission. No solider is fit for active duty who has his mind set on things other than the mission at hand. As we are learning in our bible study the mind of Christ as we serve Christ we must have one of the characteristics which Christ had and that is single-mindedness.
Second, an athlete is mentioned about what it takes to compete and then how to compete. In the preparation and the competition an athlete must also keep himself from entanglements and his eyes focused on the goal. In highly competitive athletic events such as the Olympics even the slightest entanglement or loss of focus can result in losing a medal. Like the mind of Christ we must have a single-mind toward the end goal.
Thirdly, a farmer is introduced but this is not just any farmer. This is a hard-working farmer. Personally I do not know any farmers that have not been hard-working. On the farm there is always work to be done. There is no time to get entangled in many frivolous activities. The animals and the crops demand constant attention. The farmer must also have a single-mind toward tending to the needs of the farm, because his and his families lively hood depend upon it.
Will how about us? Are we living as soldiers? Are we living as the athlete with our eyes upon the goal? Are we living as the farmer persevering and working hard knowing some reward will come at the end of the season? More than ever we need to be people who are single-minded in our devotions and dedication to the Lord Jesus Christ. Dedication may look extreme or even ridiculous to those around us and some may even try to entangle us with empty and vain things, but we are to be redeeming the time for the days are evil. (Eph 5:15-16)15Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, 16making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
Prayer: Father I ask that you would make me a wise man and a man that has the characteristic of a single-mind as my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ did. Protect me from the plethora of distractions and entanglements that assault my soul on a daily basis. I ask for your redeeming and sanctifying work to capture my mind, bring every thought into the captivity of Christ. Jesus I praise you for having a perfect mind. Oh, how I desire my mind to be as yours. Give me your servant single-mindedness according to your purposes. Always keep before my mind the day when I will stand before you and bow where you will examine my life’s service in your name. With this thought give me humility, joy, and love that will make this journey tolerable.