I just heard a fabulous message by Pastor David Uth that rang so true.
2 Timothy 2:24-26 says, “And the Lord’s bond-servant [those who know Jesus Christ as savior] must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition; if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive to him to do his will.”
We live in an era where so much biblical truth in our nation is being undermined by massive changes in the culture. Often Christians have responded in a shrill, confrontational way; after all, we are on the side of truth and righteousness.
But is this the way we are to respond? Examine 2 Timothy 2:24-26 again. We are to be ‘kind to all . . . patient when wrong, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition.” We are to correct those who oppose the trust, but with kindness and gentleness that they ultimately may come to know Jesus. People may disagree with our living based on the truth of God’s word, but if we are kind, gentle and loving in how we relate to them, they may be open to the truth about Christ.
As Stephen, the first martyr, was being stoned to death, “he cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord do not hold this sin against them!’” And who was there looking on . . . the man who would become the Apostle Paul and the author of the book of 2 Timothy. Stephen was kind and gentle to his opposition, and this profoundly impacted some who participated in murdering him.
Let’s seek to care for people who oppose us and maybe, by God’s grace, some may come to know Christ and be given the gift of eternal life.
