Have you ever tried to debate someone into the kingdom of heaven? Perhaps, what started out as a healthy exchange of different experiences led to a foolish argument that didn’t honor the heart of Christ.

Paul taught we connect with the heart of others by avoiding stupid arguments that produce quarrels (see 2 Timothy 2:23). We are designed to be kind, able to teach, and not resentful (see 2 Timothy 2:24). We are called to gently instruct people who oppose Christ in the hope that God will grant them repentance, leading to a knowledge of truth (see 2 Timothy 2:25).

Instructing with the gentle heart of Christ provides an environment for those who oppose Him to come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will (see 2 Timothy 2:26). They too can be in Christ to instruct future generations if they fully surrender to Him as Lord, Savior, and Teacher.

In order to equip and release future generations with the gospel of Christ, we are called to be in Christ to instruct. First, we must vertically surrender our lives to Christ as Savior and Lord, embracing Him as our Teacher. Second, we need to horizontally instruct others with His wisdom. We reveal the cross when we learn to teach, get the Word into our words, and connect God’s heart with the heart of others.

Episode 31: In Christ To Instruct from mitchkrusetv on Vimeo.