Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.
(2 Timothy 2:20-26 ESV)
Paul was exhorting younger Timothy to take a bold stand for Christ and His Church, without being stand-offish. He warned him to avoid things that keep us from moving forward. We need to flee from those fleshly sins that so easily entangle us, and also the bickering that pulls us apart. He wants us to be ready servants, who are not caught up in sin or controversy. It takes a Christ-like humility and gentleness to deal with ourselves and one another this way. But the rewards are priceless: knowing that I, and we, are in God's will - the perfect place to be. There's no running away from that.
No comments:
Post a Comment