Paul's instructions to Timothy

NewCreation435

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2 Timothy 2:22-24
22 "Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful."

I think the way that we conduct ourselves as believers, particularly towards those outside the church, but also those inside the church says a lot about our maturity level and where we are in our walk with the Lord. If the litmus test of who I am as a believer is my obedience to the two commands: Love God and love others. Then I would think that would make us as believers both speak and act differently then most people. Assuming the definition of love is similiar to what Paul described in 1 Corinthians 13. I believe this is what Paul had in mind in the above verses. We have to be aware that our witness is always being examined. I fall short in many ways. I am pointing to myself mainly, but I believe this is a big problem in the church. That our behavior often discredits what we are saying. Even on a forum this this.
 

Arsenios

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2 Timothy 2:22-24
Flee the evil desires of youth and
pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace,
along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments,
because you know they produce quarrels.
And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome
but must be kind to everyone,
able to teach,

not resentful.


I fall short in many ways.
I am pointing to myself mainly, but I believe this is a big problem in the church.
That our behavior often discredits what we are saying.
Even on a forum this this.

I totally agree, yet the point is usually lost on those who are doing so...
I tried this of Theology Web for quite a while - Simply citing and quoting the verse underlined above, to no effect...
So I tried praying for those with whom I was posting...
Eventually, they came around more or less...
Not to agreeing with me, mind you...
but to kindness and civility...
Some just disappeared...

Arsenios
 
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