Timely Instruction For
Every Pastor
2 Timothy 2:24-25
Don Fortner
Paul gave these words
of wisdom and inspiration to the young pastor, Timothy, and to all pastors of
future generations. "The servant of the Lord must not strive." He
must not be a hot-tempered, contentious man, striving over words in debate, or
quarrelsome. The preacher must earnestly and boldly content for the faith. But
he must not be mean-spirited and contentious. "But be gentle to all
men" - Gentleness is a mark of genuine manliness. The pastor must be a man
with a backbone of steel. But he must be a man of gentle behavior. Lambs
respond to and follow a tender, gentle, sympathetic shepherd. That shepherd who slays the bear and the lion with fierce
boldness, gently caresses the wounded sheep. "Apt to teach" -
Remember, in the context Paul is talking about character here, not gifts and
ability. A man may be a precise theologian and a mighty pulpiteer, but
pastoring has to do with caring for sheep. And we are not apt to teach men and
women, unless we gently lead them in the paths of faith and obedience.
"Patient" - Shepherds must be the most patient men on earth! Sheep
need constant care. They are constantly prone to wonder, easily wounded, and
usually behave in a most unhealthy way. That is the very reason why they need
shepherds. If we truly recognize and acknowledge our own shameful unbelief,
sin, faults, and shortcomings, we will be patient with the lesser faults of our
brethren, especially our weaker brethren. It is secret pride that makes us
impatient with others. "In meekness instructing those
that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the
acknowledging of the truth." Really, the pastor has two choices in
dealing with men: (1). We can, by harassment and intimidation, run them off, or
whip them into line; or (2). We can patiently preach Christ to them, in
gentleness, meekness and patience, with the hope that God might graciously do
for them what he has done for us, grant them faith by the preaching of the
gospel.