2 Timothy 2:23-26
23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, 26 and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
Being a useful and honoring vessel for the gospel and kingdom requires avoiding empty and ignorant arguments over what is right or wrong. We are to speak the truth tempered in love. This means that we serve as Christ’s ambassadors, not arguing to correct error but setting the truth straight as we cut it straight, gently teaching those set against the truth of scripture with its meaning and application to thought and life. We are to humbly do so because we know it is God alone who leads others to repentance leading to life; we are not able to convict of sin or righteousness or judgment (John 16:8-11), but are used to convey the message of these works of God. He then works by His Spirit to give life by opening the blind eyes of darkened hearts as the truth pierces them and they come to their senses. This is how they are set free from the trap of the devil in blind ignorance of God’s will and work. He uses His word which we testify to and His Spirit to regenerate the dead and set them free from sin’s captivity and subservience. We humbly present the words of life and not human arguments.
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