2Timothy 2:19-26 THE SERVANT OF THE LORD Loyalty in devoted service reminds us of the character of a servant of the Lord. There is an awareness of who we serve and what He is like by nature. The expectation of a servant is that he reflects the character of the One he serves. The calling of the servant anticipates his faithfulness in the ministry he has been given because he is to do what he does "as to the Lord, and not unto men." The challenge of the servant is to be in practice what he preaches in public. Even though some people turn away from the truth, that doesn't change the truth in any way. The "foundation of God" has stood firm and will stand when all other opinions and philosophies will fade away.
The contrast between the false, quarrelsome speculation of men and the sure, unchangeable, and unchanging truth of God is obvious. The solid foundation of God's truth is not shakable, does not deteriorate, and cannot be broken. No matter what lies are told, what opposition comes against it - it applies to every place, every age, every culture, and every religious persuasion. Those who truly know the Lord will understand His authority and will turn away from anything that is contrary to God's revealed will. The seal indicates the security of those who are His in contrast to false teachers, and the ownership of the Lord, who tells us to separate from evil teaching and those who teach it.
The stones of truth forming the foundation are not moved The truths contained therein and on which we build have been proved The seal is easily understood; the Lord knows who belongs to Him The evidence is easily seen: those who believe in Him are not inclined to sin.
There is nothing on earth or in hell that will break or destroy those truths Any false teaching has no value; those foundation stones are of matchless worth Though heaven and earth may pass away, these truths will forever remain Though change comes and goes and people stray, the foundation stays the same.
On this foundation, we must make our commitment and take our stand Based on the eternal truths of the eternal God, we raise our hand In loyalty to our Lord and to the great commission He gave He alone is the rock on which we build the church He came to save.
A great house has no particular significance, only to the extent that there is a wide variety of vessels in it that would not be found in a poor dwelling. The illustration is not concerned about the house, but the vessels in it. A great house contains vessels made of different materials that look different, but the point is made that no matter what we look like, the vessel is to be clean and ready for use. The vessel has been made to hold and keep safely that which has been put in it. We are who we are, and that has nothing to do with us, but like a vessel that has been formed, we have been made by the Master for the purpose of His choosing. A beautiful vessel can hold something of little value, and a plain vessel can hold something of great value - or vice versa. That which occupies us is up to God, not to us. We are to be available for use, whether it be in an outward area of service or a work that may be distasteful to us. God can and will use an available person for His own sovereign purposes.
It is our responsibility to be clean by having nothing to do with evil and evil teachers, unholy foolish babbling, and false teaching based on the opinions of men. We are to be prepared as soldiers, athletes, farmers, and workmen to be used as a son-servant in whatever way the Master wants. That cleansing means we are to keep our hearts free from anything that would entangle us, as in the case of the soldier who wants to please his Commander. Our head and intelligence with its reasoning ability is to be kept by studying like an approved workman in order to produce what the Master wants. Our walk (our feet) will be kept right by avoiding wrong company and conduct. Demas' heart was wrong. He loved the world. Hymenaeus' and Philetus' heads were wrong with wrong teaching about the resurrection. Phygellus' and Hermogenes' feet were wrong when they turned away from Paul.
The vessels in a great house were gathered in a room The Master of the house would be coming there soon To take each one to use and place it where He would In that place, each could be filled; each first cleansed by blood.
But now each vessel has a responsibility to be kept clean The value of the vessel is not in its looks, but in the part unseen To be clean inside makes it possible for the vessel to contain Things of importance; things only the Master knows, and food life to sustain.
One vessel may be small, another large, depending on its use One may contain great wealth, one beside it, medicine as He does choose One may be gold, another clay, but all are there in the household to bless Each one united with those around in silence, their worth to the Master confess.
So, the cup on the table cannot tell the churn used to make the butter "I am of more value than you because I am three times daily filled with water." The small gold case filled with perfume carries its scent to be used on occasion The great container filled with grain is filled to make daily provision.
Each one of us is expected to be available for use, everyone with a heart that is pure Our work is lifelong for the Lord and for His honor in whatever life holds - to endure Some, as servants of the Lord, have a public work for which we are suited All are called to serve in purity, hope, truth, faith, and grace till life is completed.
The servant of the Lord, being ready to serve, is the point of this chapter. There are some things we must run from rather than stand and fight. Any temptation that attracts us to sin we must run from, because a craving or passion can trip up older people as well as a young servant. Physical removal is not always easy to do, but when we know the consequences of failure, run, don't fight. On the other hand, a servant must pursue positive truth in company with those who can be trusted, who have separated from all that is wrong.
Doing right, trusting God, loving others, and making peace are never actions of which a servant has to be ashamed. There are others doing those same things, so join with them, not those who yield to temptation, promote false teaching, are against God's people, and God's truth. When we experience and accept responsibility for what is right, we will easily sense and know what is wrong.
The foundation of God does not promote foolish arguments or initiate quarrels among believers. Some people just want to argue and debate for the fun of it. There is no value in being involved in that kind of thing, and it actually opens the door to division and strife. The servant of the Lord must not get tangled up in those side issues that have the world, the flesh, and the devil to motivate them. It is the servant's responsibility to teach truth in a kind, gentle, patient, and courteous manner. Listen to what people have to say and respond to their questions with respect. When we are challenged, we wait to hear all the person has to say, and then take the time necessary to instruct them from God's word in the hope that God will lead them to repentance of their wrong, and acceptance of God's truth. The bond-servant follows the character and practice of our Lord Jesus, who is "meek and lowly in heart." A kind, gentle person is approachable, and when he has something to say, it should be easy to understand. There are times when opposition and rejection will come, but the Christ-like person will be patient, not aggressive.
When those characteristics are evident, one who is strong in faith and sound in doctrine is able to instruct and correct those who are in opposition. To win an argument isn't the point, but to win the person is. To produce change in one who is wrong is to preserve that person and those influenced by their teaching and bring them to the "foundation of God." When repentance takes place, recovery from the captivity of the devil can take place. They are like a drunken person who has been sobered up and brought from the "snare of the devil" and will be no longer captivated by their own willful way. Now they are free to do the will of God as a servant of the Lord should.