Day 58
2 Timothy 2:14-26 NIV
14 Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.17 Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,18 who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. 19 Nevertheless, God's solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” 20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for noble purposes and some for ignoble. 21 If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purpose, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.22 Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.23 Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.24 And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.25 Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
Close Your Mouth!
No, not you. This statement is however a very good summary of what the Apostle is saying to those who have wondered or are in danger of wondering away from the faith. Paul begins this section with warning about quarreling. This statement is to believers not unbelievers. Quarreling about WORDS, we are so often word happy. We take a biblical word and define it and then build doctrines around it. These words are then interpreted differently by others which stirs to an argument leading to division. Paul says to correctly handle God's Word and to avoid idle word because it makes us increasingly ungodly. Paul goes on to say that those who babble and stray from the teaching of the truth that their teaching will spread like gangrene. The Apostle next names two such preachers who have strayed from truth and are teaching falsehoods about the resurrection. Their words are discouraging some and causing others to lose faith altogether. In the 23rd verse Paul goes right back to arguments. Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments" these arguments cause fights and division and keep us from what we are called to be doing; "he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and not resentful" according to Paul those engaged in these arguments are distracted from doing the right things.
It is often difficult but we as the body of Christ need to come together and focus on what we do agree about. We agree about a Savior, we agree that God's Word is our only source and it is infallible, we agree that there is are only two choices for eternity and everyone has to make this choice. When we can agree together on Jesus Christ and presenting the gospel God is pleased.
Blessings,
Pastor Larry
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