Lesson 31
These next verses tell us to be like the Bereans who studied God’s word to find his unaltered truth. Those who didn’t, were soon confused about how and when their own resurrection would take place. God has a loving plan for his followers today and for those who don’t know him yet. He will complete it as he has said he would.
2 Timothy 2:15-26 New Catholic Bible
15 Make every effort to present yourself before God as one who is worthy of his approval, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, but who imparts the word of truth without any alteration. 16 Avoid idle and worldly chatter, for those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly, 17 and their teaching will spread like a plague. Included among these are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have gone astray from the truth. They claim that the resurrection has already taken place, and they damage the faith of some. 19 However, the foundation that God has sealed remains firm, and it bears this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his own,” and “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” 20 In every large house, there are utensils not only of gold and silver but also of wood and clay—some for noble purposes and some for ordinary purposes. 21 If someone avoids these things I have mentioned, he will be regarded as a vessel of special value, dedicated and useful for the master of the house, and ready to perform any good work. 22 Turn away from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord with a pure heart. 23 Avoid foolish and stupid speculations, for you are well aware that they only result in quarrels. 24 A servant of the Lord should not engage in quarrels but should be kind to everyone. He should be a good teacher and patient, 25 correcting with gentleness those who oppose him. For God may grant them repentance so that they may come to recognize the truth 26 and regain their senses, enabling them to escape the snare of the devil who had held them captive and subjected them to his will.
Arguing about speculative things that God has not explained is foolishness. Those who study God’s word and keep their peripheral and essential beliefs firmly rooted in his word will have a special value to him. Through gentle, patient correction, God will use those who become good teachers to free others who are ensnared by Satan’s lies. What do you do to make sure that all of your beliefs match up to what God has revealed in the Bible? Do you take time to make sure that your translation is an accurate reflection of what God’s original text was conveying? Are your nonessential peripheral beliefs based on God’s word or the teachings of man?