SCRIPTURE: Jon. 1-4; 2 Tim. 2
2 Timothy 2:1-7 and 22-26
So, my son, throw yourself into this work for Christ. Pass on what you heard from me—the whole congregation saying Amen!— to reliable leaders who are competent to teach others. When the going gets rough, take it on the chin with the rest of us, the way Jesus did. A soldier on duty doesn’t get caught up in making deals at the marketplace. He concentrates on carrying out orders. An athlete who refuses to play by the rules will never get anywhere. It’s the diligent farmer who gets the produce. Think it over. God will make it all plain.—
Run away from infantile indulgence. Run after mature righteousness—faith, love, peace—joining those who are in honest and serious prayer before God. Refuse to get involved in inane discussions; they always end up in fights. God’s servant must not be argumentative, but a gentle listener and a teacher who keeps cool, working firmly but patiently with those who refuse to obey. You never know how or when God might sober them up with a change of heart and a turning to the truth, enabling them to escape the Devil’s trap, where they are caught and held captive, forced to run his errands.
OBSERVATIONS: It is more important to be kind than to be right. Be persistent, but don’t force opinions.
APPLICATION: Joey, you aren’t the sheriff of “being right.”
PRAYER: God, help me to concentrate on carrying out your orders. Strengthen me as I run after mature righteousness. For the sake of the Name of Jesus, I ask this of You, Amen.
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