No man that warreth entangleth himself
William MacDonald emphasizes that Christians, as soldiers of Christ, must avoid becoming entangled in worldly affairs to maintain their spiritual focus and please God.
In this sermon, William MacDonald explores the biblical metaphor of the Christian as a soldier who must avoid entanglement in worldly affairs. He explains how believers can remain active in daily life without losing their spiritual focus and emphasizes the importance of prioritizing God's kingdom above all else. MacDonald challenges listeners to examine their own lives for distractions that hinder their service to Christ.
Text
“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.” (2 Tim. 2:4)
The Christian has been enlisted by the Lord, and is on active service for Him. He must not entangle himself in the affairs of everyday life. The emphasis here is on the word entangle. He cannot completely divorce himself from worldly business. He must work in order to provide the necessities of life for his family. There is a certain amount of involvement in everyday interests that is unavoidable. Otherwise he would have to go out of the world, as Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 5:10.
But he mustn’t allow himself to become entangled. He must keep his priorities straight. Even things that are good in themselves can sometimes become the enemies of the best.
Wm. Kelly says that “to entangle oneself in the businesses of life means really to give up separation from the world by taking one’s part in outward affairs as a bona fide partner in it.”
I have become entangled when I become involved in the world’s politics as a means of solving man’s problems. That would be like spending my time “rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.”
Or I have become entangled when I put more emphasis on social service than on the Gospel as a panacea for the world’s ills.
I have become entangled when business gets such a grip on me that I give my best efforts to the making of money. In thus gaining a living, I lose a life.
I have become entangled when the kingdom of God and His righteousness cease to have first place in my life.
I have become entangled when I am caught up by things that are too small for a child of eternity—like the mineral deficiencies in the tomato and cocklebur, the summer habits of Wyoming antelope, the microbic content of cotton T-shirts, the browning reaction in potato chips or the post-rotational movements of a pigeon’s eye. These studies may be all right as a means of livelihood but they aren’t worthy of a life passion.
Sermon Outline
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I
- Christian life as active military service for Christ
- Meaning of 'entangle' in the context of worldly affairs
- Necessity of involvement in daily life without losing focus
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II
- Examples of entanglement in politics, social service, and business
- The danger of prioritizing worldly concerns over spiritual duties
- The importance of keeping the kingdom of God first
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III
- Warnings against trivial distractions unworthy of eternal perspective
- Balancing livelihood with spiritual passion
- Maintaining separation from the world while living in it
Key Quotes
“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.” — William MacDonald
“I have become entangled when business gets such a grip on me that I give my best efforts to the making of money. In thus gaining a living, I lose a life.” — William MacDonald
“Even things that are good in themselves can sometimes become the enemies of the best.” — William MacDonald
Application Points
- Evaluate your daily activities to ensure they do not distract from your spiritual mission.
- Prioritize God's kingdom and righteousness above all worldly concerns.
- Avoid becoming consumed by business, politics, or social issues at the expense of your faith.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to be 'entangled' in worldly affairs?
To be entangled means to become overly involved or distracted by the affairs of this life, losing spiritual focus and separation from the world.
Can Christians participate in everyday life activities?
Yes, Christians must engage in daily responsibilities like work and family, but without allowing these to dominate or distract from their spiritual mission.
Why is it important to avoid entanglement?
Avoiding entanglement helps Christians maintain their priorities, focusing on pleasing God and advancing His kingdom rather than worldly concerns.
Is involvement in social service wrong?
No, but it becomes problematic if social service overshadows the proclamation of the Gospel as the ultimate solution.
How can Christians keep their spiritual focus in a busy world?
By prioritizing God's kingdom and righteousness above all else and being mindful not to let everyday matters consume their passion and time.