In his Second Letter to Timothy, Paul reminds Timothy of the cost involved in freely choosing to “enlist” in the Lord’s service:
“No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.”
2 Timothy 2:4
I often hear people in my country say, “It’s a free country” to justify doing whatever they want, like jumping off a cliff.
Paul seems to have a different perspective. He reminds Timothy, Remember, you enlisted in the Lord’s army, so you cannot get ‘entangled in civilian pursuits.’ ‘This is not a ‘free country’. Your choices have consequences. You are no longer a civilian. Rather, you are a soldier on mission for the Lord Jesus Christ!
If you hear Jesus’ call to join his spiritual army will you say’ yes’? It’s a free country! You can do whatever you want. You can actually say, “no thank you!” But wait! Why say ‘no’ to the invitation of the King of Kings? Why say ‘no’ to the invitation of the one who saved us from our sins and who promises us eternal life?
Will you say’ yes’? It’s a free country anyway!
See related reflections:
- Lose Yourself, That Another Might Live!, by Andrew Davignon
- Use Me, Lord, by Brendan Murray
- Be a Conduit of God’s Flowing Grace, by Francisco Aguilar
Top image credit: Graphic artwork with Bible verse from 2 Timothy 2:3-4, by © FaithLife.com. Used with permission.
Raoul Roncal is a member of the Servants of the Word, a missionary brotherhood of men living single for the Lord. He is a theology professor at the Ateneo de Manila University, and serves as the main leader for Kairos in Manila, Philippines.