24 The Lord’s servant must not quarrel but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, 25 instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth.
2 Timothy 2:24-25
The Lord's Servants (2 Timothy 2:24-26)
This week at NorthStar we continued our "Questions God Asks" series as we looked at God's question in Jonah 4:4, "Is it right for you to be angry?"Mike did a wonderful job closing the message with the discussion around "The Kind of Servants We Are." The text we investigate is 2 Timothy 2:24-26. 2 Timothy is one of 21 letters in the New Testament written to churches and Christians. In particular, 2 Timothy is written by Paul to his spiritual little brother, his spiritual protege, Timothy. In this section of 2 Timothy, Paul describes what an "approved worker" in God's economy looks like and how they behave.Here are some of the characteristics in list form:
- Must not quarrel
- Be gentle to everyone
- Able to teach
- Patient
- instructing opponents with gentleness
The approved worker is one who is the combination of the right attitude and actions. The attitude of kindness, gentleness, and patience is on full display in congruence with the ability t0 teach and instructing opponents. The approved servant is not a fighter but a promoter of unity. Whether a brother or sister in Christ or an outsider to the faith they are to be treated with the attitude of Christ Jesus.Verse 25 states that with this attitude and action, perhaps God will grant them repentance leading them to the knowledge of the truth.A few questions for us to ponder today:
- Are you an approved servant? (Do you even consider yourself a worker/servant in God's harvest?)
- How is your attitude towards others? (is it characterized by kindness, gentleness, and patience?)
- How are your actions? (Able to teach and instruct?)
Today, may we get off the sidelines and become the approved workers God has called us to be.
