Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. (II Timothy 2:14)
Paul continued giving Timothy instruction regarding the members of the church. He had previously said, "Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." (II Timothy 2:10) One interesting point about the elect, this term refers to those foreknown and forechosen by God for a certain purpose. God said of Christ, “Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles." (Isaiah 42:11) Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.” (I Peter 2:6)
God said about certain descendants of the patriarchs, "I will bring forth descendants from Jacob, And from Judah an heir of My mountains; My elect shall inherit it, And My servants shall dwell there. ... They shall not build and another inhabit; They shall not plant and another eat; For as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of My people, And My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands." (Isaiah 65: 9, 22) Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. ... What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. ... Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. (Romans 11:5-7, 28-29)
God even has certain elect angels. (I Timothy 5:21) We who know we are one of the elect, God instructs us through the apostles, Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (II Peter 1:10-11) Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. (Colossians 3:12-13)
But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed,do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (Colossians 3:14-17)
That's how we, as the elect of God, are able not to strive about words to no profit. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” (II Timothy 2:15-19)
This is a very important lesson to understand. We've studied the parable of the sower many times. The point is, we can call ourselves whatever we want to call ourselves, but God knows who we really are. That's why He commands us, ...each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way. (Romans 14:12-13) "For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (I Samuel 16:7)
Paul is a perfect example of a person who was a part of a religious group, the Pharisees, but was not a member of the family of God. (Acts 26) However, because he was one of the elect, he eventually did convert and believe the Truth. (Act 9) He himself testified, "And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." (I Timothy 1:12-15)
"However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life." (I Timothy 2:16) When we know for ourselves what we were before we believed the Truth and accepted God's free gift of salvation through faith in Christ Jesus, we don't have to strive about words to no profit, or engage in profane and idle babblings, or need to be ashamed. We just need to make sure we don't stray concerning the truth, or overthrow the faith of some, but rightly divide the word of truth. Those who believe, will believe; and those who won't believe, won't believe. No need to argue or curse or condemn. Jesus didn't do that, and we shouldn't either.
Paul continued giving Timothy instruction regarding the members of the church. He had previously said, "Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory." (II Timothy 2:10) One interesting point about the elect, this term refers to those foreknown and forechosen by God for a certain purpose. God said of Christ, “Behold! My Servant whom I uphold, My Elect One in whom My soul delights! I have put My Spirit upon Him; He will bring forth justice to the Gentiles." (Isaiah 42:11) Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture, “Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.” (I Peter 2:6)
God said about certain descendants of the patriarchs, "I will bring forth descendants from Jacob, And from Judah an heir of My mountains; My elect shall inherit it, And My servants shall dwell there. ... They shall not build and another inhabit; They shall not plant and another eat; For as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of My people, And My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands." (Isaiah 65: 9, 22) Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. ... What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. ... Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. (Romans 11:5-7, 28-29)
God even has certain elect angels. (I Timothy 5:21) We who know we are one of the elect, God instructs us through the apostles, Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble; for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (II Peter 1:10-11) Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. (Colossians 3:12-13)
But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatever you do in word or deed,do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (Colossians 3:14-17)
That's how we, as the elect of God, are able not to strive about words to no profit. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness. And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some. Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.” (II Timothy 2:15-19)
This is a very important lesson to understand. We've studied the parable of the sower many times. The point is, we can call ourselves whatever we want to call ourselves, but God knows who we really are. That's why He commands us, ...each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way. (Romans 14:12-13) "For the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” (I Samuel 16:7)
Paul is a perfect example of a person who was a part of a religious group, the Pharisees, but was not a member of the family of God. (Acts 26) However, because he was one of the elect, he eventually did convert and believe the Truth. (Act 9) He himself testified, "And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief." (I Timothy 1:12-15)
"However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life." (I Timothy 2:16) When we know for ourselves what we were before we believed the Truth and accepted God's free gift of salvation through faith in Christ Jesus, we don't have to strive about words to no profit, or engage in profane and idle babblings, or need to be ashamed. We just need to make sure we don't stray concerning the truth, or overthrow the faith of some, but rightly divide the word of truth. Those who believe, will believe; and those who won't believe, won't believe. No need to argue or curse or condemn. Jesus didn't do that, and we shouldn't either.
But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. (II Timothy 2:20-21) Paul was letting Timothy know that there are all kinds of members in the church, and all aren't necessarily members of God's family. But we all have a choice, to either stay in the condition we're in, or to accept the "cleansing" God offers that will change us into an honorable, sanctified and useful vessel for Him.
All we who are saved can do is share the Truth with others, speaking the truth in love... (Ephesians 4:15) Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. (II Timothy 2:22-26) AMEN!
All we who are saved can do is share the Truth with others, speaking the truth in love... (Ephesians 4:15) Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. (II Timothy 2:22-26) AMEN!
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