Departing And Delivering

“Depart From Iniquity” (2 Tim 2:14-19)

(vs19) Nevertheless the solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the name of Christ depart from iniquity."

Depart from iniquity and live in sin no more. The gospel is a cleansing message, and any message that doesn't lead to newness of life, to putting out the gospel of God that the elect might be saved is a false gospel, and it isn't of God.

Beware. Some preach EVERYTHING except life from the dead. They have all sorts of theories and reasons why obedience isn't needed, but they do what is right in their own eyes, evidencing God is absent in them. Moses said in Deut 12, “You shall not at all do as we are doing here today – every man doing whatever is right in his own eyes – for as yet you have not come to the rest and the inheritance which the Lord your God is giving you” (Deut 12:8-11). Instead, you and I are to study to show ourselves approved of God. We are to live acceptably, so that others might be saved, making our own salvation sure, “rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim 2:14-19). We are not philosophers and talkers, merely, but WE DO what God says in the word, living that men know the Son.

Don't be misled. Holiness and departing from sin is the end of election, predestination, and grace. 2 Thess 2:13 says, “But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through SANCTIFICATION by the Spirit and belief in the truth”. The end of FAITH is good works.

“Captive By Him to Do His Will” (2 Tim 2:20-26)

And 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 perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. (vs24-26)

The bondage of man to Satan is the issue. God saves, so we honor God. Ps 33 says, “A horse is a vain hope for safety; neither shall it deliver any by its great strength. Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him, on those who hope in His mercy, to deliver THEIR soul from death, and to keep them alive in famine” (vs17-19). When the four men brought their friend to Jesus, they “broke through” the scripture says. They got him to Christ by obedience, believing God unto action. They didn't say, “If it is meant, it will be”. They got up and DID what they could, so that faith and action are ALWAYS united. Scripture says, “And when they could not come near Him because of the crowed, they uncovered the roof where He was. So when they had broken through, they let down the bed on which the paralyzed was lying” (Mark 2:40. There is no such thing as idle faith in God's gospel. There is no supernatural faith without life.

This life that we live is God's means to open the eyes of others. He says, “But in a great house, there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work” (2 Tim 2:20-21)”. We say, “Amen” by our lives, fleeing from “youthful lusts” of ambition and self-will (vs22-23).

Don't be distracted. You have something to do. Don't be “religious” but temperate. Don't be DISTRACTED by arguing against lies, but preach the gospel until people have LIFE and follow Christ, just like you, living to teach and convert others.