II Timothy 2:20-26 A Great House.

Sanctification involves the building of a great house, which starts with a pure heart. We are called to be vessels of honour-“sanctified and useful to the Master, prepared for every good work” (v. 21). Sanctification is a two sided affair-fleeing youthful lusts, and pursuing “righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (v. 22 Cf. I Tim. 6:11). This does not change the fact that God is the potter, in fact it is possible for the elect because He is the potter (Cf. Rom. 9:21). Again Paul urges Timothy to avoid “foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife” (v. 23). We are called to be servants of the Lord, and quarrelling over unimportant matters, or worse still, profane speech, must not occupy our time and efforts. Instead we must be gentle, because we are in a profession calling on people to correct their way of living (Cf. I Tim. 3:3; Titus 1:9; 3:2). This demands of us humility, because we stand before the word being corrected ourselves (Cf. I Tim. 6:1). The hope must always be that those who live contrary will be granted repentance from the Lord, and granted it must be, for we cannot even manage this of ourselves. The ultimate goal is that people would come to know and accept the truth in doctrine and life. It is a spiritual war, the devil having taken them captive (Cf. I Tim. 3:7).