Pastor's Pen

Each week in our church bulletin, there’s a section entitled “Pastor’s Pen”, which Pastor Larry publishes. I always enjoy reading what he’s got to say. Here’s this past Sunday’s entry which I thought might be helpful to us all, even the ladies!

The Servant of the Lord

2 Tim 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 2:25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 2:26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Paul the Apostle is giving some instructions on how to be a servant of the Lord to Timothy, a young man he evidently led to the Lord Jesus (2 Tim. 1:2).

Instruction #1

Study by rightly dividing the word of truth, verse 15.

Instruction #2

Shun certain individuals who are named in verse 17. People who are profane (ungodly) and vain babblers that eat away our faith as a pest (canker) so as to overthrow the faith of others by teaching false things (the resurrection is past), verse 18.

Instruction #3

Stress the great truth in verse 20-21 which will explain how these profane babblers can say they are saved.

Instruction #4

Sanctify yourself (set apart), from youthful lusts by fleeing (run from), following after righteousness, having faith in the Lord of whom you are to SERVE.

Instruction #5

Strive not: This seems to be contradictive to our seeking to obtain the position we desire (servant of the Lord), but the truth is we must avoid (verse 23) foolish and unlearned questions that gender (give birth to) strives: To obtain anything we must strive for this lawfully (2 Tim 2:5).

Instruction #6

Save some sinners from the snare of the devil (verse 25-26)

Give ear young man, Do you desire to SERVE the LORD? Paul’s instructions to Timothy are how he says this is to be accomplished.

The young man who truly seeks to SERVE the LORD will not immediately know all heresies that overthrows the faith of some, but if, and I do emphasized IF, he will continue to study and avoid things he doesn’t understand (resurrection is past) the Lord will use him to save sinners from the snares of the devil and will show him personally the false teachings and how to bring those snared to them to freedom.