Focus
Stop and thank God for being present with you today. Ask for God’s guidance as you hear God’s voice through scripture and the writer.
Read
14 Remind them of this, and warn them before the Lord that they are to avoid wrangling over words, which does no good but only ruins those who are listening. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved by him, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly explaining the word of truth. 16 Avoid profane chatter, for it will lead people into more and more impiety, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have swerved from the truth, saying resurrection has already occurred. They are upsetting the faith of some. 19 But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who calls on the name of the Lord turn away from wickedness.”
20 In a large house there are utensils not only of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for special use, some for ordinary. 21 All who cleanse themselves of the things I have mentioned will become special utensils, dedicated and useful to the owner of the house, ready for every good work. 22 Shun youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23 Have nothing to do with stupid and senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, patient, 25 correcting opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth 26 and that they may escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
Reflect
Oh, how I wish I would’ve had this passage in my back pocket for the last few years! It really convicts and humbles us, doesn’t it? It feels like it could be speaking directly to our current situation!
Naturally, as a peacemaker, I hate quarrels. I’ve always been that way. I can remember going over to my best friend’s house to play Super Nintendo as a kid. He always wanted to play the games that had us competing against one another. I hated it; I would much rather have had us be on the same team! Because, inevitably, losing to each other would cause quarrels, and I hate quarrels.
Have you ever seen a quarrel on social media, say, Facebook? Of course, you have! Every day, right?! Have you ever witnessed church folks participating in them? Yes, yes you have. Have you ever seen pastors being the ones to ignite and stoke the flames of endless arguments? Sigh…yep, sure have. I see it more often than I’d like. And as I think back, I’m not sure any of the quarrels I’ve witnessed between pastors and church folks have concluded in a respectful way, with an agreed-upon resolution. “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful,” Paul says. I think I know what I have to work on today. Won’t you join me?
Pray
Holy God, forgive us. We’ve made a habit of taking part in quarrels and arguments. It’s all to commonplace in our church now. May we humble ourselves enough to learn to see how this has hurt our witness of your love for the world. As much as we love to be right, may we learn to understand your strong desire for us to be loving and kind. Transform us, God. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Go with God!
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