What Christians Do…Do You? 2 Timothy 2:19-26

2 Timothy 2:19-26
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. 24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.

Commentary:
In verse 19 We learn the foundation of God is sure or solid having his seal or approval.  The lord knows all  of mankind and which people in humanity are His already. And as we will see a bit latter He is not content with knowing whose are His, He wants all of humanity, not in any greedy senese, but because He knows what will make His children happiest and He wants to live with all his children  for e ternity. Our Father in Heaven doesn’t want to loose anyone.

In verses 20-21 The scriptures use a metaphor of  a great house being our world. Vessels  would be His children and the children  of  gold and silver could be people of high place and stature. The vessels of wood and earth may be the common man or the poor. Of all these people some honor The Lord while others do not honor the Lord. Be they rich or poor, bond or free.

Those vessels or children of God who honor Him are serviceable to the Lord. If the dishonorable will repent and cleanse themselves of unrighteousness then they to can become servicable to our Father in Heaven to the extent they can do every good work required of them in the service of our Heavenly King.

In verse 22-26 we are given further instruction as to what the penitent should do to keep on the side of honor and what the  those who are already honorable should do to stay that way.

The list is detailed: “Flee also youthful lusts”, “follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace”. The phrase “with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart” shows that these virtues are what the honorable or those who seek and serve the Lord already do.

These verses go on to say “But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes.” Thise phrase tells us that we are not to engage in strife or contention but follow after peace as has already been stated. 

Those seeking after the Lord must be gentle unto all men, teach the good word unto all men and also be patient with all men. No one said being a Christian was easy. We’re told that in meekness we must instruct those opposing the natural or base man. We Should not cease striving to help those in dishonour becasue we don’t know who “God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth”.

If we can help someone to the truth and to repentance then so much the better. If we can help others escape the snares of the wicked one or recover those already taken captive by the devil then we bring further honor to the Lord. Everything we do should be done for the glory of God.

Remember the resurrected Lord has made repentance possible, not just for you and me but for those who are being tempted and falling away from the truth. The atonement covers all men and not only do we need to help these people repent but also bring the gospel by teaching and instruction to those who don’t have it. We can do this by both word and example.

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