“A Servant of the Lord Must Not Quarrel . . .

“A Servant of the Lord Must Not Quarrel . . .

but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God will perhaps grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth . . . .” 2 Tim. 2:24-25.

This is a wonderful extraction of the essence of Christianity! Yet many a zealous servant of the Lord has sinned in this area. He has become tired of contradiction and what he has seen and heard, and this has produced something hard in his heart so that gentleness, which is very important, has left him. He was unable to suffer evil and remain gentle; then meekness also vanished so that he raised his voice in irritation, instead of remaining gentle and meek.

This also caused a loss of trust, or it vanished altogether. Consequently, he was unable to help the others. It can also be stated like this: he lost his self-control!

This is right in line with this exhortation: “Do not provoke your children to wrath . . . .” Eph. 6:4. You can provoke others to anger and mockery, and to answering nastily by being unreasonably strict and by going after them day and night and virtually impaling them with your eyes. It would be much better to overlook many things, acting as if nothing happened.

There is a saying that goes like this: “He could even try the patience of a saint.” Then the person has grossly transgressed this word of wisdom: “Do not let your heart be zealous against sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.” Prov. 23:17. This means that the person himself has to depart from sin, in this case from hardness, vehemence, and impatience. We find a very significant word in Titus 1:7: “Not violent . . . ;” and in 2 Timothy 4:2: “Exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” Therefore: Endure without ceasing.

Longsuffering is part of the essence of divine love. If you cannot be longsuffering with someone, you have quite simply ceased to love that person.

In 1 Peter 5:3 we clearly see that even elders need the exhortation not to lord it over others, but to be examples for the flock. Thus all leaders must be inclined to this great evil. It is therefore of vital importance to be watchful so that this harmful inclination is not allowed the least amount of leeway; otherwise the situation can become so ironic that the person who labors with souls cannot bear those whom he should nurture in love. Then things are upside-down! What a shame!

Alas and unfortunately, under such circumstances this servant of the Lord is struggling with self-exaltation, which almost amounts to a declaration of bankruptcy. When you love souls, the need for exalting yourself and your ministry, becomes superfluous.

It is very important to serve in such a way that everyone feels free to follow their own conscience, even if it is very weak.

All in all, we cannot force something into existence; on the contrary, we must love it into existence! This is always the solution! Wanting to force salvation, or the noble and the good, on anyone is caused by a fundamental misunderstanding; it is a great mistake and in complete contrast to being peaceable and a peacemaker!

“A servant of the Lord must not quarrel . . . .” It is strictly forbidden! Quarreling at meetings, which we attend in order to encourage one another to love and good works, is the worst. Then, it is both meaningless and ironic to quarrel with someone.

Instead of addressing your words during a meeting to those who are misbehaving, you should rather speak to those who are good. They alone are worth speaking to. One ought to speak to the others gently and with longsuffering between meetings. It can produce miracles immediately, or in the long term.

If there should be unconverted ones who misbehave at meetings, it is good to remember these words: “For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges.” 1 Cor. 5:12-13. Many such people have been converted over time when they encountered gentleness and longsuffering.

It is a completely different matter when it concerns those who cause such a disturbance that they have to be shown the door or brought outside by the police, which almost never happens. Otherwise, it is a matter of pretending as if nothing happened and bravely continuing with the glorious edification, which also has a good effect on restless individuals. But the saddest thing of all is if they are provoked by one’s watchdog ministry.

Even if you have meant it ever so well, which we have to assume, you have, nevertheless, acted badly. In that case, it is important to receive light in this matter as clearly and as quickly as possible, which is the noble intention with this writing.

Your, in joy and sorrow, devoted fellow brother—