Lord’s Servant

“and the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.” 2 Timothy 2:24

We concluded our bible study on 2 Timothy 2 yesterday. Paul described the character that flows from understanding the gospel as servant of the Lord. If God has dealt with me patiently, how can I be harsh with you? If I needed mercy, how can I deny it to someone else? The measure of a servant of God is not how loudly we argue, but how graciously we respond, even under pressure.

“Not quarrelsome” means refusing a combative spirit. “Kind to everyone” includes those who frustrate or challenge us. “Not resentful” reminds us to guard our hearts against bitterness, even when we feel justified.

Gentleness is often misunderstood as weakness. The original greek word used in our text is closely connected to meekness, strength under control. We see this perfectly in Christ. In Matthew 11:29 Jesus says, “I am gentle and lowly in heart.” This is the same Jesus who overturned tables in the temple. His gentleness was not passivity. It was strength governed by love and purity of motive.

Grace means I do not relate to you merely on the basis of your last mistake. I relate to you remembering how much grace I live on daily. In community, especially in church or mission settings, friction will happen. Different personalities, pressures and expectations expose our impatience. But those moments reveal whether we are led by the flesh or by the Spirit.

In Ephesians 4:2, the bible urged believers to walk “with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.” Notice that unity is protected not by efficiency but by humility and patience. Bearing with one another means there will be things to bear. We do not demand perfection from one another. We choose to carry one another.

So the principle is simple but searching:
Before I speak, I ask: am I trying to win, or to restore?
Before I write, I ask: does this build up, or merely prove a point?
Before I react, I ask: how has God dealt with me?

Practically, this means:
Address concerns directly but without loaded language
Ask questions to understand, not to accuse
Assume good intention unless clearly proven otherwise
Correct privately where possible
Praise publicly and sincerely
Grace does not ignore problems. Gentleness does not avoid truth. But both shape how truth is delivered.

Kay Alli