Your Labour is not in Vain
2 Timothy 2:24-26: “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be
gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25In meekness
instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them
repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26And that they may
recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him
at his will.
Paul is instructing believers to be patient with everyone who opposes truth.
In verse 23 Paul tells us to “avoid foolish and unlearned questions that gender
strife.” How can Paul say this to us in the 21st century? We are
confrontational and argumentative by nature. How is this possible? It’s only
possible through the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit works patience in us with
people who oppose truth or too stubborn to accept truth. We are to remain
steadfast in our interactions with other Christians and no-believers. The Holy
Spirit allows us to reflect the nature of Christ. Christ presented truth to
people and left it at that. Sometimes we will present truth to a person and if
they do not immediately receive it we get flustered. Verse 25 says in meekness
instruct those who oppose themselves. The key word in this scripture is “peradventure”.
Peradventure means maybe. This means that as we are instructing those with
patience maybe they receive it and maybe they won’t. We don’t have control over
their will. God doesn’t control our will. He is gentleman enough to let us come
to him freely from our own heart. Our objective is to plant the seed, water it
with prayer, and to have faith of a great harvest. Don’t get frustrated our
discouraged if your word of correction does not bring about immediate change in
the person. God is honoring the fact that you are making his name and nature
known to all. Stay on the path, and don’t be weary in well doing. God sees your
works but is more impressed with your faith.
God Bless You,
Minister Kenneth Scott, Jr.
Amen…. no farmer digs up the planted seeds to check on their process, but through faith and patience waits for growth. We often can frustrate someone’s growth by trying to force quick results.