Restoring Lives

How do we join God in restoring people from the lives they are trapped in? Do our words matter? How about our actions? According to Paul, yes and yes!

I have been reflecting lately on the importance of those who have helped restore me from the damage my choices sometimes produce. Just the other day, someone said something in gentleness and firmness that helped redirect my thinking. For us all, God is in this business of leading us out of our captivity caused by our behaviour or faulty thinking. Paul made Timothy aware of two men who were teaching a theology that was “destroying the faith of some people” (v 18). This is serious, not only for the people being led astray but also for the two perpetrators themselves.

In our culture today, it is common to communicate with others using caustic language and divisiveness, especially when we disagree. We are so saturated by this way of relating that it is sometimes hard to imagine another way. In this letter, what Paul suggests to Timothy might sound a bit soft, perhaps even weak. However, it is God’s way for each and every one of us.

First, Paul is blunt—people are trapped by the enemy. Even so, as he reminds Timothy, they are not stuck or destined to live this way. God may free them (v 25). Amazingly, though, it’s not totally up to God. He also uses us. And how we communicate matters. Neither are we to sit passively by nor engage in “worthless or useless” arguments with those held captive (vv 14, 16, 23). Instead, we are to be “humble” or gentle (v 25). Jesus champions this when he tells us to “love our enemies” (Matthew 5:44). The beauty of the gospel is that God wants to restore everyone, to free us all from the entrapment we find ourselves in!

Respond in Prayer

Jesus, bring to mind someone in my life who is trapped. By your power and love, free and restore them! Also, fill me with your gentleness and love so that I can communicate with them in a way that reveals your truth. Thank you that you specialize in restoring us as you set us free. I pray in your name, Amen.

Meg Saunders

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®).