Verse of the Day 4/28

Through the Bible - Numbers 3-4, Revelation 15

 

Good morning,

Anyone who's been watching the news or has been watching the goings on in the political arena can easily get frustrated and fed up with the constant bickering.  Much time is often spent on what turns out to be insignificant issues while the weightier matters are pushed to the side and left unattended to.

 

The same thing can happen within the church and between denominations.  Arguments take place on matters that are not of salvation and for which there will not be a definitive answer this side of heaven.  While the weightier matters, especially loving one another, are left unattended to.

 

For today's verses we'll go to 2 Timothy where Paul is advising a young pastor not to get caught up in such debates, but concentrate on being kind especially with "difficult people".

 

2 Timothy 2:23-24 (New Living Translation)  Again I say, don't get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. ²⁴ A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people.

 

The single word translated here as "able to teach" literally means "skilled in teaching".  Jesus was the the perfect example.  Pharisees and others often tried to trap him with "ignorant arguments" but He responded with the truth, He didn't back down from it, but spoke it, taught it and displayed it in love.

 

This all reminded me of the song by Accapella, "Teaching the Truth in Love".  Read the words, Jesus showed that He could teach the truth in love letting us know that we can too.
 

He was teaching the truth in love
Telling it like it is
While holding pure motives
And showing that He can
He was teaching the truth in love

 

Sometimes it's hard to know exactly how we are to share
With our Master's words of confidence, directly, do we dare?
Should we water down the message, should we tell them only parts?
Will they see Him in our message, will they see Him in our heart?

 

Are we teaching the truth in love
Telling it like it is
While holding pure motives
And showing that we care
Are we teaching the truth in love

 

How do we share, will others see Him in our message and in our hearts? 

Blessings,
Mike

mikevw@bellsouth.net
mikesvotd.blogspot.com

2 Timothy 2:23-26 (New Living Translation)

 ²³ Again I say, don't get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. ²⁴ A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. ²⁵ Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people's hearts, and they will learn the truth. ²⁶ Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil's trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.