2 Timothy 2:23-26 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the Truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
Every born again believer in Christ is a vessel to be used by God. We read in 2 Timothy that we all have good and pure attributes within us as well as areas of our lives that need cleaning up, which the Holy Spirit will convict us of. Basically, what the Scripture is saying is, “No one on this earth is perfect.”
While we understand that WE are not perfect, but we expect others to be so. This is not a realistic viewpoint but many expect their Pastor (or other certain people) to be totally sinless and able to walk in perfection every day of their life. We put them on a pedestal and expect them to stay there.
When this person falls short and fails, everyone is quick to condemn them and turn against them. The fact is, they are just a person too. They have vessels of gold and silver used for honoring God and vessels of wood and clay that need purging, just like we all do. Just because they are called to preach, teach, prophesy, or have another Greater Gift, does not make them perfect. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
The Apostle Paul’s instructions to young Timothy in the above Passage are profound and direct. It would do us all good to heed his instructions. Many people believe these words of wisdom are for Pastors and other “men of the cloth” but in reality, they are for every believer. These words are for you and me.
avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. We are to avoid foolish disputes because they only end in strife and discord which is of no gain to the Kingdom of God.
And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, We were all created to serve God and when we are born again, we dedicate our lives to a life of servanthood to Him. Therefore, we are not to argue and quarrel but to be gentle, patient, and able to teach the sound doctrines of the Word of God.
if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the Truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. The goal is not to prove ourselves right and them wrong, but help to bring them to the place of understanding of the Truth so they can see that the enemy has taken them captive to do his evil will.
As born-again believers in the Gospel of Christ, we are to be servants. A servant is a helper. Our responsibility is to help others by gently teaching and patiently sharing the Love of God who will grant them repentance and bring them into the Truth.
People who live in habitual sin have been taken captive by the devil to do his will instead of the Will of God. Most of them don’t know it because the devil is very tricky and sneaky. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
Let us seek to be servants; gently teaching the Truth of the Gospel.
The Truth of the Gospel of Christ will……..turn the tide
His servant, Doreen
www.bettsministries.org
