Last time, in our brief look at 2 Timothy, we saw that Paul wanted Timothy to deal with his own insecurities and fears by allowing the Word of God to put an indelible mark on his heart. Now, we move to a second problem Timothy faced in keeping the fire going in his spirit, that is, the responsibility of the people he was called to serve and to lead.
According to 2 Timothy 2:10, Paul endured “all things for the sake of those who were chosen.” Paul was challenging Timothy to do the same. There were people in Timothy’s own sphere of influence that he was called to serve and lead. There were people whose salvation was resting in Timothy’s calling. Now that is a heavy call! We learned last time that Timothy was a guy who wrestled with fears and insecurities, and because of that Timothy was not sure he wanted that kind of responsibility! What if he did it wrong? What if he said the wrong thing? That kind of responsibility can throw water on your spiritual fire. But like it or not, that was Timothy’s calling – and the reality is, it is our calling, too.
We have the responsibility to present the Gospel to people within our sphere of influence as if their salvation depended on it – and according to this – it does!!! Look at this: I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus…
Now there is much more to dig from this gold mine, but I just want to pick up a few nuggets that are lying around in plain sight. As Timothy was commissioned to deal with people, some of them would get really picky about little things (2:14 – “…solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.”).
Paul knew that people are prone to get involved in arguing about petty things. He knew they would start to fight over unimportant things – things that don’t matter – things that can’t be proven – things like “the number of angels that can dance on the head of a pin.” It really doesn’t matter! And that reveals to us the second problem Timothy had to deal with: petty issues.
For those who would fight over little unimportant things, the solution is found in 2 Timothy 2:15 - Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the Word of Truth.
Paul taught Timothy that the solution to the problem of dealing with the petty issues of the people he was called to serve and to lead was to do everything he could to “accurately handle the Word of Truth.”
What does “accurately handle” (or “rightly divide”) mean? Literally, it means “to cut straight.” It’s a word that was used by road builders. Paul was probably thinking of the Roman roads that he had spent years traveling. Romans were noted for building roads as straight as possible so their armies could take the most direct path. They would cut down forests, go over mountains or even through them. They built bridges over rivers – anything necessary to go straight to their chosen destination.
To accurately handle or rightly divide the Word of Truth, then, means to allow the Word of God to direct you in a straight path.
It means that Timothy was to bring his life in line with the Word of Truth. The only way to “present yourself approved of God” is to live according to the Scriptures. All the other teachers were talking the talk – arguing – discussing – wrangling – philosophizing – but Timothy was not to get involved in any of that. Timothy was to allow the Word to make his path straight. And in making his path straight, he would have an authority and confidence to lead. Then he would be able to keep others in the narrow way.
That is why we study the Bible – it marks us – it directs our paths and makes us worth following as we lead the people that God puts under our care. It gives us authority and confidence to lead God’s people.
So, if you want to keep the fire going in your heart as you serve and lead the people to whom God has called you, it is imperative that you live according to the plain Truth of the Bible.
Remember, sound Bible teaching will mark you! After it marks you, then it gives you authority and confidence as you apply it to your life. That brings us to a third problem Timothy faced that threatened to put out the fire within, and I’ll deal with that next time. Be blessed!
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