Be A Mentor, Not a Tormentor

UV 3550/10000 Be A Mentor, Not a Tormentor The things, (the doctrine, the precepts, the admonitions, the sum of my ministry) which you have heard me teach in the presence of many witnesses, entrust ( as a treasure) to reliable and faithful men who will also be capable and qualified to teach others. 2 Timothy 2 v 2 St Paul in this verse was charging or commissioning Timothy whom he had mentored. Likewise, we who are followers of Christ need to entrust the work of sharing God’s truths to others. The precepts, warnings, doctrines are priceless treasures that equip people for every life situation, including facing death in a pandemic. The qualities of the mentees are enumerated by Paul as reliability, faithfulness, ability to teach others. He places credibility before ability, qualities before qualifications. Timothy was first exhorted by Paul to be strong and empowered in the grace of Christ Jesus. He called him to lead a life of discipline, endurance of hardship that might come his way. The grace of Christ is sufficient to empower and equip us with the abilities we need to be witnesses for Him in this world. But, we also need to work hard on our skills as communicators and leaders of the flock. We should keep enriching our understanding with insight into the precepts and truths of life and of God. Matters of faith are not taught just orally but by example. Paul emphasizes that the truths were imparted in the presence of many witnesses to show that he lived by the principles and precepts he taught. He practiced what he preached so that people saw the truth in action, impacting, healing, delivering, changing lives all around. For this is the way, Jesus, the Teacher of teachers taught, by consistent faith, practice, discipline and with the authority and grace of God.