"So You Want To Be A Pastor?" (pt.5)

2 Timothy 2:24-26) The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

For the last month now we have been considering the passage from the book of 2 Timothy on being a pastor. Since Timothy was an elder at Ephesus, Paul saw it was necessary to write to him on how to handle opposition in the ministry. This passage of scripture is worth ones time as a pastor of a congregation or just being a saint of God. Know this brethren, Satan is going to and fro to seeking whom he may destroy and often he uses individuals to attack us. Paul reminds Timothy not to be quarrelsome, be kind to all, he must be able to teach, have patient when wrong, and correct with gentleness.
One thing I wish I was told when God called me to preach His gospel, was that everybody will not "love me." Paul makes no mistake about it, to let Timothy know he will face opposition in the work of the ministry. Doing the Lord's work is not a light task. It takes walking in the spirit and a little tough skin to take opposition and critics of our ministry.
Paul reminds Timothy, for those in opposition to him, that God may perhaps grant them repentance leading them to the truth. As pastors, we must pray God would allow those who oppose us to see the truth of His Word and where we stand as pastors. I believe we ought to pray for God to "grant"them repentance.
Repentance is not something which is "worked up" but rather is given by God. A lost man can not repent of his sins unless God grants him repentance. Repentance is a change. It is a change of mind, heart, and soul. When faced with opposition it is only God who can give them repentance in order for them to see the truth. As pastors we should not be so concerned whether or not "we" are right but rather are we biblical. This is where we stand in our fight for truth is on the authority of God's Word. This is where true repentance will be given.
So when opposition comes my way or your way, pray for God's will to be done not ours. We need to desire to stand on the truth of God's Word and not our opinions. So when men are in opposition they are in opposition with God not us. Therefore, we can again point them to, "what saith the scriptures," instead of "what saith whoever." Perhaps then God may grant them repentance!