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<\/p>\n
The book of Timothy is actually a training book where an apostle is actually doing his best to train his prot\u00e9g\u00e9, young pastor Timothy, on issues that matter on how well he can run the church. In the process, like we have seen, he teaches him endurance. He teaches him about the importance of sound teaching’\u2014being a prisoner of God’s Word.<\/p>\n
He also teaches him about the importance of having personal holiness for you have to set an example to those you influence. He also encourages him to be strong in grace, even as he is entrusted with the sound doctrines.<\/p>\n
He is also told about the importance of the spiritual growth and so these things he is teaching should taught to reliable people who will teach others also. He is told to picture himself for example like a soldier, sometimes like an athlete, or sometimes like a farmer. See how each of those people progress their work and handle uncertainty.<\/p>\n
In the process, he is told about the importance of being purposeful and not becoming careless, discussing things that don’t add anything to life.<\/p>\n
I think it”s a very important thing to be aware of and to pray that we, on our side, will actually take time, like Timothy, to take this advice seriously.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
So, if you are going to ensure your church remains in the straight and narrow, remains a biblical church and does not end up becoming cultic, then there are several things Paul is saying you need to do.<\/p>\n
One is repeating yourself: “Keep reminding.” That means in your program of preaching, there must be certain important things that are repeated every year until people get them. Some of those issues have to do with what the Bible says that is different from what our culture says. Because what happens is that when you have grown in a culture, there are values that culture gives you. And even if the Bible says something different, it’s going to be very difficult to do what the Bible says when you are deep down tied up with those values, because you don’t see anything wrong with them.<\/p>\n
That’s why on those kinds of issues, you have to keep reminding people: “This is what the word says.” And you are not telling them because they don’t know; they are already God’s people, yet you just have to keep repeating it. So, you will fail if you are the type that hates repeating yourself, thinking, “I’ve covered that topic before.” Then you ask your congregation and they seem not to have heard it’\u2014or even if they have heard it, the way they interpret it is not the way you interpret it.<\/p>\n
So, I think they’re saying if you really are serious about guarding your faith , keep reminding yourself of what the bible says. That’s why you have to read the Bible constantly. Somebody came to my high school in 1968 and told us the importance of having quiet time and going through the Bible. In a short time, it will be 60 years ago. So I don’t know how many times I’ve gone through the Bible from cover to cover, but I still read the Bible “Do I really want to stay held a willing prisoner of the scriptures?” Then I must keep reading it. It doesn’t matter how many times I’ve covered the Bible; I must keep reading. Keep reminding!<\/p>\n
I’m also told that those who want to teach people how to recognize false currency’\u2014the bank makes them know the right currency so well that the moment there’s a currency with a small error or a small change, they’ll see it quickly. And I think that’s what Paul is telling his prot\u00e9g\u00e9: “Keep repeating these things, although you’re talking to God’s people who already know it.”<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
But it’s not enough to just keep repeating. The second thing he’s telling them is the importance of warning. “Warn them before God against certain things.” So, there’s a time for just teaching; there’s another time for warning, telling people the consequences of not obeying. You know, some people are very offended when you keep talking about the possibility of people going to hell. “Why keep talking about hell?” Now, the truth is the Bible says, “Warn.” Warn means you must tell people, “That direction will bring you into trouble. It will take you to hell.” So, warn them. And that’s a way of waking up people from the possibility that they’ll move out of the teaching of the gospel. Warn them. Paul is saying warn them, and you’re not warning them as an advisor but on God”s behalf; you warn them before God.<\/p>\n
What are these things you are to warn them about? Number one is quarreling about words. You know, I hear that sometimes theologians can spend a lot of time just arguing about how many angels can stand on a point of a needle. Now whether they are a million or a thousand, how does that spiritually affect your life? If somebody likes using a certain word and you like using a different word, don’t waste your time quarreling about words. Paul is saying if that’s the direction you are going, you and your people will be lost.<\/p>\n
Do you want to keep your church in the straight and narrow requirements of the bible? Don’t agree to be engaged in things that don’t add value’\u2014quarreling about words. And it can be quite an issue when people are proud about the way they do things, proud about their heritage, and sometimes they spend all the time defending that heritage. And it’s just a way of looking at something; that’s not the Bible, necessarily, that the other person is interpreting the Bible wrongly’\u2014it’s only he’s using different words. So, the question is: why would you allow yourself to spend all your time disagreeing and hating each other, splitting the church on something that’s not substantial?<\/p>\n
So, he is told, “Such people, do not need teaching; it’s warning them that is needed.” Why is it warning them? Because he sees quarreling is of no value. It does not benefit you, does not benefit the person you are quarreling with, and is likely to throw you away from what matters as you spend all your time on something that is of no value.<\/p>\n
So, the first problem of quarreling about words is that it has no value. The second thing as to why you should not quarrel about words is that it only ruins those who listen. In other words, if people are hearing about this play of words, they are not benefiting. Instead, Paul suggests those who listen are going to be ruined. And yet your interest was in building a church of people who trust in God, who believe God’s word and follow it. How do you allow the quarreling about the words that don’t make a difference, don’t add value? Why would you allow it? If that their church menu then your congregation will end up ruined.<\/p>\n
So, Paul is saying: “Do you really want your congregation to follow God”s word? Then Keep reminding, number one. Then Keep warning them.” What do you want to warn them against? Play of words. Debate about nothing.<\/p>\n
Verse 15 says:<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
What are we learning in the process? That if you really want people who are following you to walk in the straight and narrow, you yourself as a leader must do your best in setting an example. In other words, don’t just try’\u2014do your very best. For what? To present yourself to God as one approved.<\/p>\n
In other words, you do not play around with God’s work. Your competence must not be in question. You prepare thoroughly. You never appear before people wondering, “What am I going to speak about today?” and then you speak with no preparation. No, no, no. You’re being told: “Do your very best to present yourself as one who is approved.” In other words, God has worked on you until you have been certified to do the ministry you are doing. When people see that, they believe what you are teaching and they are likely to follow it.<\/p>\n
16 Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.<\/p>\n
Number two: “Present yourself as a worker who does not need to be ashamed.” In other words, if you go without preparation, if you live in a way that contradicts what you teach, when people discover the real you, you’ll be very embarrassed. And in the meanwhile, they will be misled. They might even abandon God’s word because their leader is not trustworthy, is not living a life in such a way that it honors God.<\/p>\n
So, for God to use you, yes, you must be an approved worker. Why? So, you are not somebody who can be ashamed of your work. Instead, you do things and you are proud of the work; and you know it honors God. It will not bring you to shame.<\/p>\n
Number three: be sure you correctly handle the word of truth. My understanding of this are three:<\/p>\n
Correctly handle the word of truth means that you ensure your hermeneutics’\u2014your Bible interpretation principles’\u2014are followed strictly. Don’t be careless in the way you interpret the scriptures. You are correctly doing it; you are correctly interpreting God’s word. And that is important.<\/p>\n
Also, Your application of God’s word must be relevant. If you apply the passage in such a way that it contradicts another passage in the Bible, you are not doing it correctly. You must be somebody who follows the hermeneutics principles, who accurately takes the time in application to ensure the application is in line with the interpretation, which is in line with the observation of what the original readers of the text understood.<\/p>\n
And thirdly and importantly, that you do not use the word of God in order to win brownie points, to make scores, to prove anything about you. “Can’t you see I’m a good preacher?” When you do that, people will notice that actually you are trying to compete with the pastor down the road, or you are trying to show off. And in the process, there will be a problem in terms of people following the message you have been trying to get them to follow.<\/p>\n
So, you are proved, number one, in terms of the way you handle God’s word; it will not bring shame. Number two, you handle it in a correct manner as the word of truth, not just a suggestion. Let people know that you are talking about God”s command which is not a suggestion. It’s not for debate. This is what God says. I like what Billy Graham kept saying: “The word of God says.” Not Billy Graham. The word of God is the word of truth. And I think that’s something we need to spend time asking ourselves. Is that the way you look at things? Do you take the word of God seriously?<\/p>\n
Paul here is also highlighting a very important thing: that the resurrection of Jesus is the foundation of hope. So, in the process, he’s encouraging Timothy to endure all kinds of problems. That’s what he has said up to verse 13. That becomes the background for verse 14 to talk about the importance of handling God’s word correctly.<\/p>\n
So, as you serve the Lord there are things to avoid and things to do. Like you have seen, you must avoid foolish, ignorant attitudes that cause ruin. And that’s one thing. Then what does he do that? Accurately teach the truth. That will be something that you spend your time on, asking the Lord to help you so that you do not end up the wrong way.<\/p>\n
We are just talking about if you want to build your church so that it doesn’t become cultic. Verse 16 says:<\/p>\n
“Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.”<\/p>\n
What is to Avoid godless chatter? So, you want to set a good example? How? You must avoid godless chatter. What”s godless chatter? These are jokes sometimes. Dirty jokes. casual jokes. You want to entertain people so you become careless. There are many pastors in that category whose main aim is entertainment’\u2014telling stories. When you try to find out the message in the story, you can’t find it. Just godless chatter.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
So, the first error is you are saying things as a joke. Number two, you are giving a joke that might be interpreted wrongly with a wrong message. Someone might take you seriously. That’s a godless joke. Number three, it is godless because you would not expect the word of God to say something like what you are saying.<\/p>\n
And you are being told: to avoid it. Don’t get involved in it. Let people know what you say is God’s word. It’s reliable; it must be practiced. Avoid godless chatter. Why is he so strong about it? Because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. You begin by trying to have a light moment’\u2014and I’m not suggesting laughter is bad’\u2014but you can have clean or dirty jokes. You can have truthful jokes. You can have something that you do not use to mislead. In fact, a joke could be passing on God’s message, and yet people are laughing in the process.<\/p>\n
But then there are some pastor jokes that the Bible can describe as godless chatter. And when you’re involved in godless chatter, please know you have gone in the wrong, wrong, wrong direction. Avoid godless chatter. If you choose to go into it’\u2014you indulge in it’\u2014then rest assured initially it’ll look okay. But slowly, more and more, you will move away from godly behavior, godly walk. You become ungodly. And then in the process, when people realize they can’t take you seriously, you know they are unlikely to remain in God’s word. If they think it is ok to joke around with God’s word, they are likely to become even worse than their leader.<\/p>\n
Look at the message in verse 17.<\/p>\n
Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus.<\/p>\n
In other words, when you take that route of teaching’\u2014making jokes, whatever’\u2014you are likely to get a big congregation. Your wrong word’\u2014will spread, according to verse 17, ” like gangrene.” So, I think it’s important to understand that people will be attracted to your church when you are this type who doesn’t talk serious things. You don’t say that there is anything I can’t say; hell would never be mentioned in God’s word. You are only interested in encouraging people. You do not want to state God’s word strictly.<\/p>\n
What happens? Slowly they are moving away from God. And then it spread; it attracts so many people and it becomes very popular.<\/p>\n
And Paul has an example of two people: one was Hymenaeus and the other one, Philetus. Why are they being given as examples? Verse 18 gives the answer: “who have departed from the truth.” So, it’s not just giving a theory. He has seen people who take God’s word lightly, talk about it like a joke’\u2014godless chatter and what happens to them. Slowly they will move away from God’s church, like Hymenaeus and Philetus.<\/p>\n
You know, these two say that the resurrection has already taken place. they are joking’\u2014it hasn’t. And yet that’s what they are teaching. Initially they say, “Ah, I was only joking.” But if people think that on a major issue like the second coming, you are making them think Jesus has already come, you will destroy their faith. And that’s what happens with many people: when they are taken to a direction by a cult. When they discover it’s not true, they don’t come to Christ; they go to the devil. That’s why you can’t play around with it.<\/p>\n
So verse 18 is saying:<\/p>\n
“These two have departed from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place,<\/p>\n
And in the process,” what have they achieved? “Destroy the faith of some.” Fortunately, it’s not many, but some. And it all started with considering them part of the church, then they start taking the word of God lightly, the pastor doesn’t stop them, they start becoming popular, people follow them, then they start being told even those things about Jesus coming’\u2014he already came’\u2014within no time they are totally lost. I think that’s something you have to ask yourself: is that an area you are well on, or not?<\/p>\n
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.'”<\/p>\n
In other words, these people are taking God’s word lightly, yet God’s word is sure. Timothy is being told: “Follow and stand on that sure foundation.” You have avoided foolish, ignorant disputes; you are actually teaching the word of truth correctly; in the process, you are honoring God.<\/p>\n
You know, the church is a great house with various vessels. You know, some are vessels of honor, and if you want that, Paul is saying those are people who have cleansed themselves from dishonorable things. They don’t play around with God’s word. They are not playing around with errors’\u2014theological errors’\u2014they are not playing around with immorality, and in the process of living righteously, living holy lives, they become useful vessels for the Master. That’s what he really wants.<\/p>\n
So, Paul is encouraging Timothy to become that very honorable vessel. So, by standing on God’s solid foundation’\u2014not on an apostle. Don’t stand on a pastor, don’t stand on a professor of theology, don’t stand on a prophet who gives very accurate prophecies’\u2014stand on God’s solid foundation. It stands firm, sealed with inscription. My understanding of this is: don’t take people’s prophecies and words of knowledge until you check whether they are in line with the Bible, which is God’s solid foundation.<\/p>\n
You know, the truth is, there are some church people pulling in all directions, but God himself knows those who are truly his. So, don’t start thinking that because you are very active, you are very popular, many people are following you, that then you are right because of that. No, no, no, no. It’s God who determines who is his. You know, “everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” If you are not turning away from wickedness and yet still claiming to be a Christian, by the word of God saying you are not standing on a firm foundation, you are on shaky ground. If you truly are a Christian, it will be seen in your walk of holiness’\u2014turning away, keeping off from any type of wickedness.<\/p>\n
So, the choice is yours. Would you be an honorable vessel that can be used by the Master? When they have special visitors, only selected vessels are used. Are you that special vessel? I think that would be something that you need to ask yourself.<\/p>\n
“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. 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.”<\/p>\n
So, the choice is yours. What are you going to be? Would you be one who is careless with God’s Word, who is not standing on God’s foundation, or one who stands on God’s foundation, lives a holy life, and can thus be used by God?<\/p>\n
Verse 22 says:<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
More emphasis: you can’t claim to be a Christian and you are living loosely for pleasure. In fact, earlier the word he was using was avoid; now the word he uses is flee’\u2014run away from. From What? Evil desires. As long as you are human, those desires will come. Run away from them. Don’t do anything that will encourage the fleshly desires, especially when you are young.<\/p>\n
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<\/p>\n
Flee from evil desires of youth. Because when you are young, you are hot and sometimes you can be sexually driven. You are being told: if you really want to stand on God’s firm foundation You must not play around. If you are a man and you see a girl badly dressed, you don’t negotiate with her; you run away from her. Flee from evil desires of youth.<\/p>\n
What is the alternative?<\/p>\n
The alternative is to pursue something else. Pursue means run after. After what,,, Righteousness’\u2014so you choose to follow holiness with as a serious pursuit.<\/p>\n
Number two: pursue faith. Don’t walk by sight; walk by faith, like the Bible says elsewhere. That means you only do something that builds your faith, not something that destroys your faith. You are going to walk on the basis of trusting God, even for things He has not yet given you, because you know you can trust Him. That way, you are pursuing faith.<\/p>\n
But you also must pursue love’\u2014love for God, yes, but love for human beings also. But it goes on to say even love for enemies. Pursue it. It’s not easy. Some people are not lovable; they say, “I can hit you as try to damage you.” How do you love them? But pursue it. It means you don’t pursue something easy to get; you pursue something that’s not easy to get.<\/p>\n
And then he finally says: pursue peace. That means you are not going to be involved in quarrels and involved in things that are going to cause fights. You will be known as a peacemaker, not just a peacekeeper. A peacekeeper just avoids quarrels; a peacemaker even looks for ways of ensuring that even people around him don’t participate in quarrels.<\/p>\n
So, pursue righteousness, pursue faith, pursue love, but also pursue peace. But you are not alone in this: “along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”<\/p>\n
The company you keep matters. And there are people who are like you who are pursuing righteousness, and faith’\u2014look for that company. Don’t keep company of others that are going to mislead you.<\/p>\n
Then in Verse 23 he says:<\/p>\n
don’t have anything to do with foolish, stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels.<\/p>\n
He said that just a little earlier; he’s repeating again. Keep off these people who just enjoy foolish, stupid arguments. Of course, in the end, you end up quarreling, and instead of being busy pursuing righteousness, being busy sharing God’s Word, you just be hot under the collar for nothing.<\/p>\n
Then verse 24 he says:<\/p>\n
“And the Lord”s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.”<\/p>\n
That’s why you are running away from these rough people who are not seeking righteousness. Why? If you are going to be God’s servant, you cannot actually do God’s work when people regard you as quarrelsome. They will avoid you; they don’t want to spend time with you. So, God’s servant must not be quarrelsome.<\/p>\n
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. 23 Don”t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 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<\/p>\n
What’s the alternative?<\/p>\n
Be kind to everyone. Good people, bad people’\u2014be kind to them. And you know when you are kind to everyone, that will now make you “able to teach and not be resentful.” That way there”s nobody you dislike, even if they have done wrong things to you.<\/p>\n
Verse 25 says:<\/p>\n
“Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth.”<\/p>\n
Yes you can see, some in your church are going the wrong direction. You have been taught to teach them, to warn them, and keep off them, but still gently instruct them. Always have a hope that even the one who is running away from the Lord’\u2014there’s still hope God can correct him. If you lose hope, you will not treat them well. Always don’t give up on anybody. And you know, if the Lord is able to lead them back to the knowledge of truth, your church will be the better off. And God is able to actually use you as you gently seek to help these wrong people.<\/p>\n
Verse 26 says:<\/p>\n
“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.”<\/p>\n
So that’s what you are hoping for. These backsliders’\u2014you are seeking to recover them. First, you must teach them right; they must know what they are doing is wrong. Number two, you must warn them. Thirdly, you must keep off their company, then gently keep helping them to know that the door is open if they want to come back. And there is a possibility that they may actually come back. Never give up on them; God himself is the only one who has the final say.<\/p>\n
Yes, you are a young leader. Keep off youthful lust’\u2014that will be very, very important. And therefore, seek to set an example for everybody.<\/p>\n
You know, all these things you are learning, Paul is writing them from a prison. In other words, he is hoping to extend God’s work even while in prison. He is hoping to mentor these younger preachers so that they may end up going on with God’s work when he himself is in prison.<\/p>\n
The other thing you need to understand is that he knows whichever way the case is decided, there is a possibility that they are going to kill him. So, he knows there is a possibility that death is near. Can you see why he is desperate to ensure the person he is leaving the work with is sound? He is encouraging him so that he can continue ministry despite the challenges this young man will face. God will actually help him in whatever it is that they have to do for the work to grow. Amen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Day 1 2 Timothy 2 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 book of Timothy is actually a training book where an apostle is actually doing his best to train his prot\u00e9g\u00e9, young pastor […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_et_pb_use_builder":"","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-263488","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-john-meditations"],"yoast_head":"\n