Part VIII

GENTLE INSTRUCTION

As Timothy stood outside of the religious system of his day, he would have opportunity to teach fellow-members of Christ's body of the truths of Paul's message. And there was a clear heart-attitude (2:24-25) in which it was to be done. Even though there is conflict and persecution all around the believer in response to being outside the system, he himself must not have a contentious spirit. His instruction should not be with a spirit of strife, but in gentleness – and in patience and meekness.

SAINTS OPPOSING THEMSELVES

Saints who are still in the religious system, for whatever reason, are actually opposing themselves! The religious system (man-made "churches" and "ministries") have robed the believer of their identity in Christ! So, in any participation with this false system, they are actually found opposing who they are in Christ! They are in opposition to themselves.

Sadly, many dear and precious saints, are in bondage to such self-opposition. We must tenderly and gently offer them instruction (2:25). But ultimately the only way for these prisoners of spiritual warfare to find deliverance is for them to repent (2:25) of their participation in organized religion! This can only be done by the "acknowledging of the truth" (2:25).

REPENTANCE IN THE BODY OF CHRIST

II Timothy 2:24-26 is not a discussion of the lost, or our evangelization of them. It is a passage dealing with the Satanic captivity of the body of Christ.

The true church needs to come to Paul's epistles and acknowledge the truth of who and what we are in Christ. We need to acknowledge that we are the church; that there is only one true body of Christ; and that the "churches" that we have built, attended, and supported are actually frauds. We need to acknowledge that they are Satanic "snares" (2:26) that have taken us captive. We need to recognize that we have been too long in Satanic captivity. We will be free in Christ!

Notice Paul says that the individual believer must recover himself (2:26). He cannot be recovered by another. He can be instructed, but he is responsible for his own acknowledgment and subsequent repentance!


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