How To Respond To Those Who Reject The Gospel Of Grace

According to the Bible, teachers who reject the gospel of grace when others try to teach it to them have been taken captive by the devil to do his will (2 Timothy 2:23-26).

In addition, their hearts are closed and their minds have been blinded to grace by the god of this age (2 Corinthians 3:14-16; 4:3-6).

When communicating with Bible teachers who reject the fullness of grace, Paul gives great advice to Timothy (2 Timothy 2:23-26).

1. Don't Argue

2. Be Kind

3. Be Patient

4. Teach Gently

By having this attitude toward Bible teachers who have been taken captive by the devil to do his will, which is to suppress the good news of grace, their hearts may be softened and their eyes opened in the hope God will grant them repentance, leading to a knowledge of the truth of grace (2 Timothy 2:25).

Repentance in this verse (2 Timothy 2:25) means for a teacher of God's word to change his mind concerning what he once believed about grace.

Repentance is when he admits he was wrong in his understanding and rejection of grace and then accepts it as truth.

Repentance is "coming to one's senses" concerning the truths of grace (2 Timothy 2:26).

We need to view those who oppose us, really those who oppose God by rejecting the truths of the new covenant of grace, as being trapped by the devil and taken captive by him because he does not want Bible teachers' churches to understand grace.

He knows if a Bible teacher comes to the full understanding of grace, then the church family will too.

The devil then knows people will escape religious and spiritual bondage and experience changed lives because of grace.

As we instruct these Bible teachers kindly, gently, and patiently, without arguing with them, it is possible their hearts may soften and their eyes open to the truths of grace and God will enable them to admit their wrong beliefs and embrace the truths of grace.

Once they embrace grace, not only will their lives change, but so will all of those who listen to them teach.

2 Timothy 2:23-26

"Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Opponents must be gently instructed, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, 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."