“And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth.”
2 Timothy 2:24&25
Speaking the truth in love
That’s the aim
Sometimes it seems impossible
How hard it can be to be patient when my pride is in the way
When I have been offended or my words misunderstood
How can I?
I’m not Jesus
How can I be like Him?
I know His strength is made perfect in my weakness
I know that
My failures are many, Lord
The times when I have not been as kind and gentle
as you would have me to be
The New Living Translation says it this way:
“A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth.”
That’s the goal, that God changes their hearts
and that they will learn the truth
It is not to drag people to the cross and make them see,
but rather, to lead them to Jesus,
so they can work out their own salvation with fear and trembling
If I am not gentle, they will be less apt to listen
God forbid that I become a stumbling block
It is the goodness of God that leads to repentance
Scriptural References:
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Ephesians 4:12-16
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:38
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 2 Corinthians 12:9
To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Acts 26:18
Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather determine this not to put an obstacle or a stumbling block in a brother’s way. Romans 4:13
Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12
Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? Romans 2:4