Patiently

I am currently reading through 2 Timothy. I invite you to open your Bible and read along with me or find it online here.

2 Timothy 4

1 I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom:

2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

Patiently. Last week, we read Paul’s instruction on how God uses His Word to help us live right. Today, Paul challenges Timothy (and us) to use that preparation to help others live right. If we want to help people change, we most definitely need to be prepared with understanding (teaching) that is correct (“good”); but more important than that, we have to be patient. Change doesn’t come quickly and it doesn’t come through aggression.