Friday's
Follow-up
Versus
2 Timothy 2:20-26
20 In a large house there are articles not only of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay; some are for special purposes and some for common use. 21 Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.
22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. 24 And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. 25 Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 26 and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.
Pondering Point
Through the sacrifice of Jesus at the cross we are, of course, forgiven when we succumb to temptation. But that doesn't mean these sins won't have any bearing on our lives. Giving into evil desires has a negative impact on us just as pursuing righteousness, faith, love, and peace have a positive impact on us. Pursuit of such godliness impacts our usefulness to God. Being teachable and moldable goes a long way for how the Lord uses us. This passage encourages seeking to be used by God for special purposes in His house.
Prayer
Consider in this moment what you want to pray about in relation to this passage: Is it being used by the Lord? Is it your attitude? Is it being pure in heart? Is it about avoiding traps of the devil? Sit with the Lord and see what He puts on your heart and mind. Discuss it with Him. Then consider whom you could discuss it with – someone you trust in the faith.
Micro-Group (MG) Moment
Considering the Sixth Petition of the Lord’s Prayer from Luther’s Small Catechism as we follow Jesus
Lead us not into temptation.
What does this mean?
Pondering Point
“God tempts no one,” Luther wrote to help parents teach their children. “We pray in this petition that God would guard and keep us so that the devil, the world, and our sinful nature may not deceive us or mislead us into false belief, despair, and other great shame and vice. Although we are attacked by these things, we pray that we may finally overcome them and win the victory.” Now we will turn that statement into a prayer as Luther encouraged:
Prayer for the Day
Father God, as we pray that You lead us not into temptation, guard and keep us so that the devil, the world, and our sinful nature may not deceive us or mislead us into false belief, despair, and other great shame and vice. Although we are attacked by these things, we pray that we may finally overcome them and win the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.