The Servant

2 Timothy 2:24-26

²⁴And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. ²⁵Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, ²⁶and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.

 

// THOUGHTS

A few things remind me of these verses:  (1)  There are a lot of expectations for being a servant of God; (2)  The servant is called to a high standard. 

Paul was reminding the young pastor, Timothy, to do these things:  not to quarrel (or arguments about foolish and stupid things), to be kind, to be able to teach (having the knowledge and ability to simplify for it to be understood), to not be resentful, and to gently instruct those who are opposing to what was being taught (the truth). 

This goes along with anyone who is serving the Lord in any area of ministry – big or small.  These are practical things that are supposed to be “given” for each of God’s servant.  He expects a high standard out of us (which includes not involving in “civilian affairs” and also “competing according to the rules” – v. 2-5) including the things mentioned above.

 

// BELLE:

What does this have to do with me?  Obviously, I am a servant of God in the area of youth ministry.  I must endure things knowing that it will be hard.  There will be times when I have to avoid arguments about foolish things [I must keep silent and let my words be few].  When times come that I don’t feel like being kind (gentle, mild) I must do all the more.  When times when I don’t want to study for my teaching (not acquiring more knowledge about the material, or being lazy in preparing for the best teaching for my students) I must all the more change.  When I am being resentful (not patiently enduring difficult people), I must recognize it immediately and have patience for them regardless.  More so, I must just do my job with the continual hope that God, who is at work within them, will do the job of stirring up their hearts, leading them to the knowledge of the truth, and helping them come to their senses that they may escape from the trap of the devil.

Doing all these in sensitivity and discernment through the Holy Spirit.

 

// Lord, thank you for reminding me of what I need to do.  Help me to be faithful in doing my job as You do what you ought each time.  I trust that You have great power that will enable me to endure hardships and even have the enduring love for those who difficult to handle.  Let me be your faithful servant who will tirelessly run the race until You return.  In Jesus’ name, amen.