This morning I am reading from Paul's second letter to Timothy. Like any of his letters, there are really no chapters and verse numbers, those were added later to help us navigate. I am reading the end of chapter two into the beginning of chapter three for they are directly related, and applicable to these days. Here are the verses - 2 Timothy 2:22-26 NIV:
[22] "Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. [23] Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. [24] And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. [25] Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, [26] and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will."
And continuing - 2 Timothy 3:1-5 NIV:
[1] "But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. [2] People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, [3] without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, [4] treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God--- [5] having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people."
The thought that struck me this morning was the last sentence of chapter 2, verses 26 for this basically explains the next 5 verses. The terrible times in the last days, as described by Paul, are the result of the trap of the devil, which enables him to take people captive, or capture them through their own agreement with him. I reflected on this theme on this past Saturday, and I believe this is one of the key issues in our day, believing the lies of the enemy concerning God. I believe its actually been one of the main issues since history has been recorded. We understand that Jesus came to confront this, as described in 1 John 3:8 NIV:..."The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work."
Notice though, Paul's encouragement to Timothy is to not engage them in arguments, for this bears no good fruit, but instead tells Timothy that he should treat everyone with kindness, and gentleness. At worst, our response should be to just have nothing to do with such argumentative people. However, we should be ready to gently instruct those that are willing to listen at all, engaging them in gentle conversation, in the hope that their eyes might be opened to their own deception, allowing them to change their mind, breaking off their agreement with the devil and stepping into the Kingdom, through the salvation of their souls.
First and foremost though, our call, as was Timothy's, is to pursue righteousness, faith. love and peace. If our eyes and efforts are set on these things, we will be safe-guarded from the craziness of some. Paul writes in his letter to the Ephesians 6:12 NIV: "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
So let us embrace righteousness, faith, love, peace and gentleness towards all our brothers and sisters, especially those who are not yet members of the Kingdom of God. Let us not be surprised when people believe such things, and respond accordingly. Let us instead "fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline." ( 2 Timothy 1:6-7 NIV).
Amen!
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