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is one means whereby they can be set free; they must "know the truth". It may be that
many of our readers could be used in this liberating ministry. Here, then, is instruction
for us all:--
"The servant of the Lord must not strive: but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach,
patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves: if God peradventure will
give them repentance to the acknowledging of the TRUTH; and they may recover
themselves out of the SNARE OF THE DEVIL, who are taken captive by him at his will"
(II Tim. 2: 24-26).
#2.
Deliverance from the snare of the Devil (II Tim. 2: 24-26).
pp. 112 - 115
Our previous article dealt with the statement of the Lord: "Ye shall know the truth and
the truth shall make you free." We concluded with a quotation from II Tim. 2: 24-26, a
passage which we must now consider more carefully.
It is concerned with those who are "approved concerning the truth", even as
II Tim. 3: 1-9 is concerned with the corresponding member: "disapproved concerning
the faith." The passage is divided into three sections:--
(1:)
The workman and the truth (14, 15).
(2:)
Error and the truth (16-23).
(3:)
The servant and the truth (24-26).
Our subject in this article is the third of these sections, as it deals with the practical
application at the present day of the words of the Lord: "The truth shall make you free."
II Tim. 2: 24-26 not only reveals the liberating power of the truth, but it gives a very
clear indication that the character of the one presenting the truth is a consideration not to
be lightly set aside. It shews, moreover, the binding power of error, Satan's chief means
of enslaving the child of God.
The instruments in the delivery of the Devil's captive are two: the servant of the Lord,
and the acknowledging of the truth. The word "servant" is literally "bond-slave". The
servant of the Lord was once himself in the snare of sin, but has been set free, bought
with a price, and is now owned by a gracious Master. He does not approach the captive
as would an angel from glory who had never known sin or bondage, but as one who has
himself received mercy. There are several characteristics essential to the success of the
servant's mission.
In the first place, he must not strive. A reference to verses 14 and 23 of the same
chapter will show the nature of the striving that the servant of the Lord must avoid:--