2 Timothy 2:14-26 (4)

How can we live faithfully as Christians?  It will help if we do not seek to do what God is to do.  We must be tools in His hands so He can use us.  We mention this in light of 2:24-26.  Timothy has been challenged to diligently present himself to God as an unashamed servant.  He has been challenged to present himself to Christ as a cleansed servant, able to do whatever Christ has in mind.  Timothy needs to correct those who are in opposition.  And what they need is for God to 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 (2:25-26).  That is God’s work.  What should Timothy (we) do?

·        In contrast to foolish and ignorant disputes that generate strife Timothy must gently, patiently and humbly correct those who have been taken captive by the devil to do his will. 

o   Often theological differences result in strife.  The strife is the work of the Devil; read James 3:14-16 where this is made very clear.  When two Bible-believing Christians come to hate each other so much that they cannot fellowship together this is Satan’s will.  Remember that Jesus said Christians were to be known by their love (John 13:34-35).  Sadly, in these situations, the two people will walk away claiming that they have each stood for the truth of God’s word.  They have decided to be known by a theological position rather than by their love for each other.  

o   Rather Timothy is to be …

§  Gentle: To be mild or kind, used only here and in 1 Thess. 2:7 where it is illustrated by how a nursing mother cherishes her children.

§  Patient: To be patient when facing ills and wrongs.  In other words, he is not to allow himself to be drawn into the quarrel by the other person’s argumentative approach.

§  Humble: This is the term for meekness.  He is to yield his rights, not reacting to those who do not meet our expectations or who do not treat us with the respect we deserve.

o   This is not to say that we should not stand for the truth of God.  What it is saying is that we must not allow pride to get in the way of teaching God’s truth.  Timothy must be able to teach, a phrase from a single Greek term: didaktikos.  It refers to someone who is skillful in teaching.  It calls both for the knowledge of sound doctrine and the ability to declare it plainly.  Theological differences can become quite foggy when people forsake the whole counsel of God for one particular point.  Someone must clear the fog by explaining God’s word clearly.

There may come a time when those in opposition are so contentious they must be excluded from the Church (Titus 3:9f).  But short of that time there must be a willingness to be servants of the Lord that He can use to bring them to the truth.