The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:24-26)
“Stand up straight!” This was an older pastor's counsel to a younger one. The younger pastor was being opposed by some church members who were questioning his authority as their leader. The older pastor explained that he was not to lean into the fray or lean away from the fight. Stand up straight! Timothy was told by Paul in an earlier letter to fight the fight. So was Paul’s counsel here contradictory? How does God expect the spiritual leaders among us to handle conflict and opposition within the church? Are we never to correct and rebuke? This passage says that sometimes correction is necessary…but God’s way is not to quarrel about it. We are to gently correct. And gentle responses can also be firm and resolved. The overarching goal is not to win arguments but restore those captured by the enemy. This is easier done when we remember who we are…a bond-servant…and whose we are…the Lord’s. Remembering that we belong to the Lord helps us to know that He knows who are in the opposition position. And the Lord knows best how to handle conflict. My fight…Timothy’s fight…is to fight the fight of faith. To continue to trust the Lord when we are under attack from the enemy. And remember that the enemy has others who will fight his fight. It's all about belonging. A quarrelsome spirit does not belong in the pastor...the battle belongs to the Lord…and I belong to Him.
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