Friday, October 18, 2019
Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior. This kind of talk spreads like cancer, as in the case of Hymenaeus and Philetus. They have left the path of truth, claiming that the resurrection of the dead has already occurred; in this way, they have turned some people away from the faith. But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.” In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts. 2 Timothy 2:15-21
Although I have many “favorite” passages
of Scripture, all of God’s Word interests, instructs, and corrects me[2]. But if there is one verse that could be my life
verse, or the theme of what my passion is about, it would be what Paul
wrote about being God’s approved workman, correctly explaining the Word
of Truth. Paul said to the
Philippian[3]
believers: I don’t claim to have
achieved perfection in every doctrine or complete knowledge, but I am
pressing-on in that direction.
If there is one thing I am passionate about it is
sharing God’s Word accurately, with an aim to help anyone know God better.
This passage is Paul’s instructions for
his young protégé, Timothy, on issues related to his ordination vows. Paul had laid hands on Timothy and charged
him with being pastor to a flock of God’s people. Timothy may have felt a little awkward,
because he was probably younger than 90% of the church members. It’s hard to be authoritative and “fatherly”
to a group who were adults when you were still having your diapers changed.
Nevertheless, Paul instructed the young
servant of God about what would make him a fit and holy vessel (or tool) in God’s
workshop. Chief among the required
activities for any pastor is meditating on the Word. Without careful, prayerful consideration of
what God says, it matters little what the preacher says or does. Any private that rushes into battle without
heeding the commands of the general is like a heat seeking missile launched
without coordinates for the target…you may stay busy, but you’ll cause a lot of
damage in the doing!
Along with taking-in
God’s Word, there is plenty of admonition from Paul the Elder to Timothy
the Rookie to taking-out the things of the world,
including idle discussions that only bear the fruit of contention, and any
other kind of impure behavior. If there
is to be holy ministry in the name of our Lord, there must be holy living.
And now here is the sticky point about all
this – we’re ALL servants of the Most High; we’re all
ordained (set aside) to be servants of the Kingdom. These instructions to Timothy apply to every
believer, whether preacher, teacher, steelworker, homemaker, student, dentist,
lawyer or retired senior. Able-bodied or
bed-ridden, male or female, new Christian, or walking with Christ for 70 years,
if we have breath we must serve!
For You Today
On his way to the cross on Friday, Thursday
night Jesus was girded with a towel in the upper room washing dirty feet. That is the model of the One we long to have
others see in us. So, are you still breathing? Serve!
Go to VIDEO
[1]
Title Image: By
Błażej Benisz via WikimediaCommons Unless noted, Scripture used from The
New Living Translation©
[2] 2 Timothy 3:16
[3] Philippians 3:15
