We've just seen how we are to handle God's word accurately.
(20) Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor.
As God's family we've been depicted in several different earthly concepts, like stones, priests, and athletes. Here we are vessels for the Master's use.
There are goblets for fine wine, and there are also chamber pots.
(21) Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things,
These things are the faulty understandings of what God is telling us, as we read yesterday; we are to abstain from wickedness.
he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work.
This is our responsibility, to make sure we're not trying to read anything into God's word that isn't really there, just to satisfy our own pride. To take care to compare scripture with scripture, to open our minds to what God is saying to us, and to understand Scripture with open clarity to be prepared to face what is ahead. Then we will be fit to do God's work in the world, and to serve Him forever.
(22) Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.
The way we do this is to flee youthful lusts, to not be childish in wanting to know everything right now. We are to be patient to let God teach us, and to run after righteousness, faith, love and peace, in the company of other believers who have also purified their hearts.
(23) But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels.
(24) The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome,
Arguments and quarrels only come from wanting to impose our ideas on others, rather than listening to others.
but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged,
(25) with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth,
And after listening to them, if we find that they are adding to or ignoring passages of Scripture, we are to patiently and gently steer them in the right direction to know the truth. Then it is their decision to follow that path, and change their mind.
(26) and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.
If our patience and gentleness and kindness would lead them into knowing the truth, then they can in turn be reasonable with us, and even turn around their thinking to escape the deceptions of the devil.
Paul is writing to Timothy, the pastor at the church in Ephesus, so he is to be the example for the other church leaders to follow. It is his responsibility to make sure that the teachers are not teaching any fallacy.
When someone is caught in a deception, it will lead him into all kinds of side-paths, off the narrow road, and lead away from Christ. This is what the devil wants to do with us, to get us off-track. Because that will keep us from promoting and growing God's Kingdom.
Even Christians are susceptible to these small deviations, when we're not totally focused on Scripture, but opening our minds to other sources of "truth."
Research is good, and we can stand on the shoulders of others who have gone before us. But we are not to put any man's opinion on the same level as God's word, and do our own research in Scripture to make sure there is nothing disputable or not in line with what God has clearly told us.
And when we still see gaps in our knowledge, we can be patient, knowing that God knows what He's doing, and not try to make up something to fill the gap.
When I give you my thoughts in this blog, I don't want you, dear reader, to swallow my opinion whole, but to do your own research, also. I may think that I am being true to the Word, but I am still human, and can still make errors.
If you ever see anything in any of my entries that may not align with Scripture, please call me on it, leave me a comment, and I will thank you for it and do more research and prayer.
O my Father, please lead us into an accurate understanding of what You are doing in this part of Your great Plan of the Ages that we are living through. If this is the time You have described, strengthen us through it. And if You will relent and give us more time to gather more into Your family, then strengthen us through that, too.
O Father, I know that Your word is precise and accurate, and I also know that You will relent when Your people confess and forsake our sins and seek Your face.
Father, call all of Your children to bring a great revival in our societies, that every living person will hear and come to the knowledge of Your great love for us all and Your provision of everything we need, both now and forever. Draw all of Your embryonic children to the birth into Your family, and fill Your house!
And every eye will see, every knee will bow, every tongue will confess that Jesus is our Christ, the Lord God Almighty, sovereign King over all Creation; to the everlasting glory of Almighty God the Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!
