Tuesday, May 2nd, 2023

How good does winning an argument feel? It can give sense of accomplishment, of superiority, and victory. But what we do not always stop to think about is the cost of such victory. Did winning the argument cost the relationship? We should never deny Christ nor shy away from the Gospel that saved us, but the manner in which we communicate it is important. Paul understood this and instructed Timothy the following: “And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” Paul specifically teaches that a servant of the Lord, something all Christians consider themselves, must be kind to everyone and even in disagreement with opponents, must be gentle in instruction. Paul is telling us to show the love of Christ to our opponents so that they might, too, be moved to faith and repentance. Christ welcomed all with open arms and died for all while we were still sinners. He dined and congregated with sinners; but they left changed by him, not him by them. Such is the same as what Paul is speaking here: by our kindness and gentleness, even amongst opponents, they may know Christ who changed our lives and their lives be transformed; but at the same time, we should not forget to stand on truth and the Word to them, in kindness. Today, do not let others sin be an impediment to your sharing of the Gospel to them. Live with a heart of flesh, not stone, towards everyone.

“And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.” — 2 Tim. 2:24-26 NIV