2 Timothy 2
2 Timothy 2:1-26 (NKJV)
1 You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
3 You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.
4 No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.
5 And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.
6 The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops.
7 Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.
8 Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel,
9 for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.
10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
11 This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him.
12 If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.
13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.
14 Remind them of these things, charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the ruin of the hearers.
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
16 But shun profane and idle babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.
17 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort,
18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.
19 Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity.”
20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.
21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.
22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.
24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient,
25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth,
26 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.
There is great significance that comes in our growing revelation of new birth that goes way beyond our own benefit. The way of truth is to be followed and shown to others as well. It’s in this influence that the greater mission is accomplished. In this commitment to the greater cause, however, endurance becomes a challenging necessity. Instructing in righteousness comes with opposition in the form of natural obstacles, but more so in the form of resistance from those who talk boldly but with limited understanding. God will provide for the material needs, but there is danger of getting baited into unproductive and damaging banter with the naysayers that will divert and discourage from the true mission. The way to remain on course and kept from those traps is to care for the vessel we’ve been given, to keep ourselves pure from the enticements of the flesh and preserved from a response to its sensitivities. Being kept in the love of God allows for a gentle response to otherwise volatile encounters, providing wise persuasion from a vessel that’s been preserved for Spirit revelation. A heart of love for the opposition will guard against developing a heart that is closed to the flowing of the Spirit’s gifting. The greatest challenges that require endurance will come from what appears to be resistance from inflaming personalities and perspectives. Realizing that the true opposition is from the devil, though, the one who is under our feet, equips with compassion for the one he has deceived and empowerment to persuade with wisdom that will reverse his damages.