2 Timothy 2:8-19
(Use the link below to
read the verses.)
During
game 5 of the 2017 NBA Finals, there was a play that resulted in a heated confrontation
between David West, of the Golden State Warriors and Tristan Thompson, of the
Cleveland Cavaliers. They got into a major argument with nose to nose shouting
and pushing.
As
a result, both received technical fouls, but nobody really won the argument.
Often times, that’s how arguments end; there is no true winner, only losers.
In
a heated argument, both people are highly invested in their own opinion. If
they are honest, neither is really interested in truly listening to the other
person’s point of view. Mostly, they just want to win the argument. That’s not only
the case with the above example; that’s human nature. But Paul wrote this to
Timothy:
14 Remind your people of things like this, and tell them as
before God not to fight wordy battles, which help no one and may undermine the
faith of some who hear them. 15 For yourself, concentrate on
winning God’s approval, on being a workman with nothing to be ashamed of, and
who knows how to use the word of
truth to the best advantage. Phillips NT
We
live in a highly competitive world where winning can cause us to lose
perspective; to lose sight of what is truly important. In fact, it’s been said,
that winning is everything. But Paul is making the point that although God’s Truth
is unchanging, winning God’s approval is, above all else, most important.
Before
you leave for vacation, it always seems like you have twenty things to do and
not enough time to do it. You have to focus and set priorities. You have to ask
yourself, “What is most important”? So it was with Paul.
He
knew it was close to the end of his life when he wrote his letter to Timothy. This
helped him to focus on what was the most important thing. Don’t worry about
winning
every argument but, above all else, concentrate on winning God’s
approval.
Above all else, guard your
heart,
for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 NIV
for everything you do flows from it. Proverbs 4:23 NIV
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