This “Application” column goes with the Bible Lesson for Oct. 18, 2020: How To (2 Timothy 2:14-26; 3:1-9)
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By David Faust
An NFL Hall of Fame player passed along a tip he learned from a coach: “Always arrive a few minutes early for practice.” Punctuality itself wasn’t the main point. The coach advised, “Be disciplined off the field, and you will perform better on the field.”
Why do soldiers in boot camp make their beds every morning? Why do parents ask their children to brush their teeth twice a day? Why does the book of Proverbs advise us to avoid laziness and develop self-control? Why did Paul tell Timothy to “be diligent” in his ministry (1 Timothy 4:15)? Little things matter.
NOTHING TO PROVE
A word of caution is needed, though. In the pursuit of excellence, we shouldn’t slip into legalism. The Pharisees focused on the wrong little things. Religious performance is a dangerous trap. Our goal shouldn’t be to impress others or try to earn points with God. If you and I dive into the Pacific Ocean off the California coast, you might swim two miles while I swim only two yards, but neither of us can swim all the way to Hawaii. Likewise, we’re all sinners who can’t make it to Heaven on our own. It’s foolish if we try to outdo each other in some sort of spiritual competition.
But properly understood, God’s grace is an incredible motivator. We don’t just have to serve God; we get to. “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). God’s lavish kindness inspires us to serve him with all the excellence we can muster. We aren’t saved by works, but we are “created in Christ Jesus to do good works” (Ephesians 2:10). We have nothing to prove, but our gracious Father deserves the best we can offer.
PURSUING EXCELLENCE
Elton Trueblood pointed out, “Holy shoddy is still shoddy.” We shouldn’t grow complacent and settle for shoddiness. God is honored when we pursue excellence. “God’s solid foundation stands firm” (2 Timothy 2:19), but sloppy habits are spiritual termites that nibble away at our effectiveness and weaken our witness. That’s why Paul warned Timothy to guard against three ministry hazards.
Sloppy Talk. Don’t waste time on quarrels and pointless debates (v. 14). “Avoid godless chatter” (v. 16). “Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments” (v. 23). These safeguards apply to ordinary conversation, to preaching and teaching, and to engagement in social media.
Sloppy Work. “Present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth” (v. 15). We should see our work as an act of worship. Without shame we can pray, “Lord, I won’t get everything right today, but because I love you, I’ll give my best effort to glorify your name.”
Sloppy Doctrine. Faulty teaching spreads “like gangrene” (v. 17), bringing deadly numbness to the body of Christ. We can’t control what others believe and do, and some are “always learning but never able to come to a knowledge of the truth” (2 Timothy 3:7); but by focusing on clear biblical truth, we can steer away from ideas that confuse and distract.
The hymnwriter challenged us:
Give of your best to the Master;
Give of the strength of your youth;
Throw your soul’s fresh, glowing ardor
Into the battle for truth.
Personal Challenge: Have you grown complacent or lazy in some area of your life or ministry? What will you do to improve the quality of your service to God?
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