Debate or Deliver?
2 Timothy 2:14-16 Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.
Most today will be discussing the presidential debate of last night. Their believed winner and looser; dissecting their speech and forming their opinions of whom they should cast their vote for. Politics have the natural bend to bring out the debater in us all, sometimes our opinions become overbearing for the need to convince or change our opponents point of view. We try to argue our way of thinking into the idea that we must be right, and surely they must be wrong. Luckily I live in a free country where we even have the ability to freely present these feelings.
The Apostle Paul was speaking to Timothy in regards to the importance of understanding the Word of God so that he preached the Word of God clearly and correctly. A teacher of God’s Word is held to a higher standard; this is a weight that scares me as I share in this format every day. I am held accountable for my every word. James 3:1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. Paul was encouraging Timothy to remain focused; to not be draw astray himself with those who distract from the whole truth. The heretics (false teachers) were twisting God’s Word a little at a time, leading people astray.
Debate has been in the church since the beginning of time. We are all born into sin, and that sin separates us from God. Therefore we have opposing sides of good and evil. Once we rest in the grace of God under the Salvation through Christ, we change sides. That desire that grows inside you with the realization of your life before and after Christ drives you to share, or debate, your faith with others. We can’t argue someone into believing in Christ. John 6:44 No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day. We are to present our faith and the Good News in love and respect to everyone who will here following the last words of Christ in Matthew 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. You may be the one who “wins” that debate by God preparing them to receive the Good News that you deliver; and you get to see their life change forever as God’s gift to you.
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