2 Timothy 2:14-26

2 Timothy 2:14-26
¹⁴ Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen.

The first thought that entered my mind was Christian arguing about the use of words in the Bible.  Let's be realistic.  Every Bible owned today is a copy.  Most are copies of a translation.  The next thing that comes to mind is the churches that argue about which translation is correct.  This is not what we were called to do and it only tears down the church.

¹⁵ Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

This is my goal.  I am not ashamed and I handle God's word with care.

¹⁶ Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. ¹⁷ Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, ¹⁸ who have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. 

I think of how horrible it would be if my conversation was to cause someone to fall away from the faith.

¹⁹ Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”

I am so glad that the Lord knows I belong to him.  There have been times that I've doubted, but all I need to do is look back and see how God has brought me through so much and just never let me go.
 
²⁰ In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. ²¹ Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

I'd rather be the soup bowl at the masters table than the chamber pot. You?

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.

The evil desires of youth are not always just sexual.  It is anything that sets oneself above the authority of God.  Notice also it does not say stand up and fight, but FLEE.  And since life can't have a vacuum we are to fill the void with righteousness, faith, love and peace.

²³ Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.

Very similar to the admonition about words.  Don't get sucked into arguments.

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.

Are you able to stay calm in the face of a hostile opponent?  Our goal is not to win an argument, but to win another to Christ.

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.