September 21 Daily Devotional

Monthly Theme:

In September we read Paul's letter to Titus and his very last letter, called 2 Timothy. Paul's concern is that the true gospel be preserved and proclaimed by a faithful church.

Bible Reading:

2 Tim. 2:20–26

Bible Text:

Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments.... The Lord's servant must not quarrel (2 TIm. 2:23–24).

Devotional:

Timothy was "the Lord's servant." With that title come certain expectations. Servants of the Lord cannot always avoid controversy. They must name who is wrong and what is wrong, even if they lose a friend or gain a foe. Paul does not tell us to run from battle.

However, servants of God should avoid senseless controversies started by opinionated people who base their arguments on speculation rather than on God's revelation. Such people do not seek godliness but an appearance of knowledge and a religious reputation. Paul warned against these religious teachers and their arguments more than once (1 Tim. 4:7, Titus 3:9).

Not long ago church leaders were engaged in an ongoing debate about whether God the Father crafted his plan of salvation before or after the fall. Today numerous Christians are enmeshed in senseless discussions about the timetable of the Lord's return. We had better listen to the warning of the apostle. Unbiblical speculation and unloving debate have done great harm to the cause of Christ.

God expects us to stand up to defend the gospel. But we cannot afford the luxury of senseless controversies that produce hot heads and cold hearts. We must love God's Word more than our own ideas and pray to know the difference.

Andrew Kuyvenhoven's Daylight, a modern devotional classic, was originally published in 1994. This edition is copyright by Faith Alive Christian Resources, from whom may be ordered Daylight, the predecessor of Twilight.

A man of many accomplishments, Andrew Kuyvenhoven is probably best known for his contributions to Today (formerly The Family Altar), a widely-used monthly devotional booklet associated with the Back to God Hour. Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations for this edition of Twilight are from the New International Version

Be sure to read the "Preface" and the "Acknowledgments" by the author.