This is part 7 of a multi-issue devotion concerning the topic of the Servant of the Lord. It is intended to encourage all believers and I pray it will do so. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; II Timothy 2:24-25
Over the past 7 weeks we have looked at the servant of the Lord, particularly the great responsibility each believer holds in their personal sphere of influence. Our actions, attributes and attitudes representing the Lord while serving and loving others are vital in each part we play within our daily activities. It is incredibly important we do not strive, causing strife and division among the brethren. Equally enough, we are to be gentle unto all men prepared with the ability to teach and patient with men, women and children. One may ask what we are to teach? We are to teach the right ways of Christ, the whole counsel of God and the way of salvation. This is not a theological debate of even a doctrinal divide, but rather the simple truth of the Holy Scriptures as written in the word of God. Teaching such truth in a heavy or critical manner but rather “in meekness…”. The word meek is defined as gentle and humble. It is humility that is the key to the servant of the Lord in “instructing those that oppose themselves”. The thought of being humble in instructing those that oppose themselves works against human nature, which seeks to comfort and exalt itself. Human nature, better known as the natural man, is incapable of meekness, humility is in polar opposition with the natural man. We are effectively reminded of this in I Corinthians 2.14 “But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” Too often in life, we as natural man, seek the acquisition of honor, praise and accolades through our own labour. Even with the gaining of scriptural knowledge men so often are sidetracked through attacks, criticism and debates. Whereas, there are times and places a hard stand must be taken for the word of God and the way of salvation, however, we must remember the truth will stand by itself. All we have to do is remember it is the meekness of the servant of the Lord in which enriches the instructing of those who are opposing themselves. Solomon penned by inspiration of the Holy Spirit “Before destruction the heart of man is haughty, and before honour is humility.” (Proverbs 18:12). Honour is something not earned or achieved, but rather given as a result of setting our own personal desires to the side so the greater goal can be won. This goal is none other but the deliverance of a soul who has been taken captive by the Devil, at his will (II Timothy 2.26). Beloved, this is why the servant of the Lord has such a tremendous responsibility in this life. All we do, every where we live each day which is granted is a day gifted by the Lord where we are given opportunity to instruct those who are opposing themselves with the great hope “…if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth…”. The truth, simple truth is what is needed to be acknowledged in order for such a soul to repent thus receiving the forgiveness of sin and the seal of salvation for all eternity. Jesus said, “…I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.”. For the servant of the Lord, this is what it is all about… this is the prize, the ribbon, the laurel wreath placed about the crown of one who has set their goal to refuse discord and division and enact gentleness collecting the ability to teach to a multitude of people despite their differences of background as they stand in complete opposition of themselves walking desperately toward a Godless eternity filled with utter and constant torment. These are the souls we are labouring to be set free from the bondage of the natural man and the fetters of sin. It is here, the servant serves, on the front line of the battle between good and evil trusting continually in the guiding hand of the Holy Spirit and eternal desire of God for no one to perish. This is the calling of the servant of the Lord, this is where the servant must shine, as our beloved Apostle Paul said to the church in Philippi, “That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;” (Philippians 2:15). With all this said, over the past seven weeks, let us now go forth into a dark and dying world and shine as lights of the glorious Gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus the Christ and be found faithful as the servants of the Lord! And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
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