“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kindly to everyone, an apt teacher, patient, correcting opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant that they will repent and come to know the truth…” (2 Timothy 2:24–25, NRSV)
There is an old story told of a time when John Wesley was on the preaching circuit. He was well known for preaching about repentance and grace, obedience and true biblical faith. As part of his understanding of God, Wesley preached that people should not adorn themselves lavishly. He spoke out against the evils of the love of money, earthly riches, and worldly treasures. On one occasion, he was invited by an acquaintance to visit the home of a wealthy family. While there, the acquaintance introduced Wesley to the daughter of the homeowner. She was dressed in expensive clothes and bedecked with rings, a necklace, and other jewelry. The acquaintance held up the daughter’s hand, sparkling with jewelry, and said to Wesley, “Could this be the hand of a Methodist?” As the words were spoken, the young woman blushed. She, too, knew of Methodist preaching. Wesley looked at the woman and said, “It is a beautiful hand.” His statement ended the awkward moment. The woman was so impressed by Wesley’s response that she came to his next service but without any jewelry adorning her frame.
A gentle, careful, faithful response in a situation can go a long way toward being faithful in the moment.
We are in a time when caustic language is praised and even monetized. Media organizations put out scandalous fake news in order to drive ratings or increase income. Politicians demonize one another. Liberals openly blaspheme conservatives, calling them misogynists, sexists, racists, and worse. Cyber-bullies get their friends to attack a person who is shunned. Facebook and Youtube allow some channels or groups to attack openly, while others are silenced. Attempts to see the other side of the coin often result in open condemnation. Pride and jealousy and tribalism go unchallenged.
Some Christians also see themselves on a high horse. They like to show off their good works. One may give self-praise for worship attendance or a life of membership. One may feel sinners are to be shunned or seen as inferior in every situation. Another might choose to elevate his own denomination as superior. I have heard Christians berate other Christians for how they were baptized, which denomination they are from, or where they were born. In my own denomination, there are many who make fun of conservative Christians, seeing them as uneducated or ill-informed. I have heard sermons in various churches mocking Catholics as cultists or Baptists as “bible-thumpers”. I have witnessed feminists in the church publicly mock Christian men for being sexist or racist, when it is not true. In the modern world, too many Christians can be just as worldly as non-believers. They all make fun of those who are different.
In opposition to the prevailing schisms and divisiveness being promoted openly today, the scripture given above from 2 Timothy demands the faithful Christian live differently. The true Christian should not be “quarrelsome” (2 Timothy 2:24). On the contrary, he or she should be “kindly to EVERYONE”, even “correcting opponents with gentleness” (2 Timothy 2:24-25). This attitude among the faithful is meant not to bring judgment upon those who different, but instead to save the soul of the other. It’s not that you are supposed to just “be nice” in all situations. In fact, this scripture urges you to “correct opponents”. However, your methods should be done with grace and “gentleness”. Your goal is not to antagonize those who are different. Your goal is to inject God’s grace into the conversations and interactions.
Kindness and gentleness and repentance are at the heart of today’s scripture. However, they are far from common in the world today. Sadly, they are also missing in the interactions among Christians. Why do you think there are hundreds of Christian denominations today? Might it be because it is easier for many Christians to separate themselves than to act with gentleness and kindness, patience, and grace?
Take a good look at the scripture verses above. Then, ask yourself if some of these scriptural words describe your faith today. Are you “patient”? Do you “correct opponents with gentleness”, or are you apt to beat them over the head with facts? Are you “quarrelsome” with "some" people? Let today’s scripture help you reign in those divisive worldly tendencies. Nothing good ever comes from beating people to death with the gospel or with the truth. Also, you may be the one who is wrong in a given situation and in need of a gentle correction!
A gentle, careful, faithful response in a situation can go a long way toward being faithful in the moment.
We are in a time when caustic language is praised and even monetized. Media organizations put out scandalous fake news in order to drive ratings or increase income. Politicians demonize one another. Liberals openly blaspheme conservatives, calling them misogynists, sexists, racists, and worse. Cyber-bullies get their friends to attack a person who is shunned. Facebook and Youtube allow some channels or groups to attack openly, while others are silenced. Attempts to see the other side of the coin often result in open condemnation. Pride and jealousy and tribalism go unchallenged.
Some Christians also see themselves on a high horse. They like to show off their good works. One may give self-praise for worship attendance or a life of membership. One may feel sinners are to be shunned or seen as inferior in every situation. Another might choose to elevate his own denomination as superior. I have heard Christians berate other Christians for how they were baptized, which denomination they are from, or where they were born. In my own denomination, there are many who make fun of conservative Christians, seeing them as uneducated or ill-informed. I have heard sermons in various churches mocking Catholics as cultists or Baptists as “bible-thumpers”. I have witnessed feminists in the church publicly mock Christian men for being sexist or racist, when it is not true. In the modern world, too many Christians can be just as worldly as non-believers. They all make fun of those who are different.
In opposition to the prevailing schisms and divisiveness being promoted openly today, the scripture given above from 2 Timothy demands the faithful Christian live differently. The true Christian should not be “quarrelsome” (2 Timothy 2:24). On the contrary, he or she should be “kindly to EVERYONE”, even “correcting opponents with gentleness” (2 Timothy 2:24-25). This attitude among the faithful is meant not to bring judgment upon those who different, but instead to save the soul of the other. It’s not that you are supposed to just “be nice” in all situations. In fact, this scripture urges you to “correct opponents”. However, your methods should be done with grace and “gentleness”. Your goal is not to antagonize those who are different. Your goal is to inject God’s grace into the conversations and interactions.
Kindness and gentleness and repentance are at the heart of today’s scripture. However, they are far from common in the world today. Sadly, they are also missing in the interactions among Christians. Why do you think there are hundreds of Christian denominations today? Might it be because it is easier for many Christians to separate themselves than to act with gentleness and kindness, patience, and grace?
Take a good look at the scripture verses above. Then, ask yourself if some of these scriptural words describe your faith today. Are you “patient”? Do you “correct opponents with gentleness”, or are you apt to beat them over the head with facts? Are you “quarrelsome” with "some" people? Let today’s scripture help you reign in those divisive worldly tendencies. Nothing good ever comes from beating people to death with the gospel or with the truth. Also, you may be the one who is wrong in a given situation and in need of a gentle correction!