Seeking Jesus First Nov. 20, 2024
I woke up this morning with this Scripture running through my mind. “The servant of The LORD must not strive but be gentle to all.” Read it in it’s context below (or open up your Bible and read the whole chapter).
“Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 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.” (2 Timothy 2:14–26, NKJV)
Be diligent to present yourselves approved to God by diligently keeping His Word in your heart and in your mouth. Stop speaking about idle things for they produce ungodliness and you will give account for them in the day of judgement.
Depart from iniquity and become a vessel of honor by cleansing yourself from the dishonorable things. (Apparently, once you have received the Word of God, you can cleanse yourself from dishonorable things and become a vessel of honor. Those who tell you that you cannot do this should be avoided.)
Humility does not mean that we accept false teaching. It means that we gently correct it without entering into strife. Hopefully, God will grant them (and us when we need it) repentance so that they can escape the deceitful captivity of the devil. “The entrance of God’s word gives light and makes wise the simple.” Repentance is accepting God’s word and aligning with it as we reject the lies of the devil.