SCRIPTURE:
23 Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24 And the Lord's servant[e] must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.
2 Timothy 2:23-25
OBSERVATION:
God has a way of teaching me lessons by throwing me directly into the fire. This happened yesterday repeatedly. Looking back on it, I wasn’t pursuing a sifting moment, but God had other plans for me. As I was repeatedly tempted to partake in a “foolish controversy”, I kept thinking, “I’m well represented and supported in this conversation. As much as I would love to continue and contribute to this I need to represent and stay steadfast to the God I serve and restoration was way more important than my representation.” Did I pass the test? Status pending.
If only I had read these words Paul writes yesterday, “avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness”, I would’ve been “I got this.” The ungodly route mightʻve felt so much better yesterday, immersing into the irreverent babble would’ve brought coolness to the uncomfortable burning of the Refiner’s fire. But my goal is godliness, not for the sake of being right, but for the sake of being an ambassador of Jesus Christ.
APPLICATION:
My only kuleana is to love and leave it to God, he will take care of it. Too often I want to do it on my own. I want to be the corrector, I want to be the avenger. By leaving it to God to be my first avenger I do 3 important things:
1. I let God grant repentance that leads to a knowledge of truth (2 Tim. 2:25)
2. I train myself to correct in gentleness
3. I move closer to becoming the Lord’s servant
PRAYER:
Thank you Jesus for speaking to me directly and exactly where I am at. For meeting me at my brokenness and leading me toward completeness in You. Amen
