What God approves…

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.” Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will. (2 Timothy 2:15–26)

Most people want to feel useful. If age or illness or other reasons rob a person of a good reason for being here, discouragement, even death thoughts come in. Yet being useful to God has a greater caviet than abilities. I like this passage for it is a clear job description for me. I’m not a pastor nor do I hold a position in our church, yet this makes it clear that is not the criteria for leading others out of darkness and into a relationship with Jesus Christ.

The first one is rightly handling the Word of truth. This week we had lunch with a cult member. He has most of the qualities listed here but this one. His belief system is founded on salvation by works, giving Jesus no role except a role model, yet not even that. This means he must ignore plain statements like this one:

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8–9)

Another example is that he believes there is no heaven after death. While he rightly thinks that God’s people will dwell in a renewed earth, he says after someone dies, they are in the grave until that happens. This ignores what Jesus said to the thief on the cross and this: “Yes, we are of good courage, and we would rather be away from the body and at home with the Lord” (2 Corinthians 5:8) plus other passages.

For those who put their faith in Christ, being useful to Him means avoiding sin, and pursuing righteousness, faith, love and peace, not arguing over anything but being kind to all. This means correcting errors with gentleness and hope that God 
will bring them to their senses and out of the devil’s snare, and his lies that keep them in the dark.

During that lunch, this cult member asked about my education. When I told him I had a degree in theology, the expression on his face changed drastically. We could not interpret it only that he “needed to go now” so there was no more conversation about his beliefs.

Lord Jesus, You know the heart of this man. Is his understanding lost to many lies, or is he seeking You? Whatever is going on, may Your Spirit convict him that being a nice person is not the criteria for a relationship with You. He needs to recognize who You are and what You have done as well, and put his faith totally in You. His own ideas and works will not grant him the righteousness and eternal life that You alone can give.