Words to live by.
October 2, 2008
I was reading http://www.inplainsite.org/html/how_we_got_our_bible.html and one of the quotes regarding the inspiration of the Bible was in 2 Timothy 3:16-17; these are familiar verses to many. What I’ve been trying to do is to read the entire chapter to at least get the immediate context for the verses. In chapter 2 of 2 Timothy, there is an incredible part in verses 24 onward:
“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.” (vs. 24-28)
I know that I have so much to learn about the wisdom of God and the narrow road of following Christ. But this I do know: these verses not only encourage me because they reinforce what I have heard in discussion with other believers regarding our attitude towards the lost, but these verses also convict me because I know that I am not always patient with my opponents.
Our call as Christians is to lovingly beckon our opponents to the truth, because as these verses say, God may grant them repentance that leads to them understanding the truth of Scripture- a truth that frees them from false doctrine and the grasp of the devil!
If you, as the reader, believe anything on this blog is written harshly, know this- I am wholly committed to communicating God’s Word, and also passionate about defending the faith against false doctrine. I encourage you to pray for me, that God may cause me to always adhere to this verse when composing a message for this blog. And part of my passion indeed is justified, as seen here:
“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” 2 Timothy 4:1-2
