Gentle Servants
Posted by: forthrightmag <forthrightmag@...>
http://www.forthright.net
Going straight to the Cross
Courage doesn't mean brutality, so let's be ...
Gentle Servants
by Tim Hall
There are Christians who have the idea that
"faithfulness" means "ugliness." In order to be
sound in one's views and true to the word of God,
we must be blunt and tell it like it is, we are
told. "If a Christian doesn't have enemies, then
he must not be sound in the things he is
teaching," goes this logic.
There are aspects of this view that are worth
consideration. A Christian can become too
diplomatic, too sensitive to offending someone or
hurting their feelings. What if a physician
refused to tell someone that cancer had been
discovered in their body -- just because they
didn't want to make that person uncomfortable?
Honesty and forthrightness in speaking the truth
are virtues any Christian should cultivate.
But there are other virtues the Christian should
cultivate, too. Consider these ideas prescribed by
Paul:
"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" (2 Timothy 2:23-26, New
King James Version).
Some traits of a faithful Christian are clearly
described in this passage. Paul indeed urges all
disciples to directly confront the sins and false
views that others may have. There is no hint of
being timid in these verses! But at the same time,
the servant of the Lord "must not quarrel but be
gentle to all . . . patient . . . in humility
correcting those who are in opposition." This is
not a description of a hothead. This follower of
Christ has learned to keep her cool, even in the
face of opposition.
Now let's talk about being "sound" and "faithful."
And let's not restrict our discussion to doctrine;
let's expand it to the attitude a Christian holds.
After all, attitudes were very much on the mind of
Paul when he wrote this passage. Can we do less
than what inspired Scripture teaches us?
Be prepared: If we are serving the Lord, we will
be opposed in our work. Satan is still active in
the 21st century. We must be ready and willing to
meet such opposition. But let us not be pulled
down into the mud with the devil's henchmen. Let
us maintain the same noble patience our Lord
displayed when He was opposed. He is our example
-- in all aspects of our work.