2 Timothy 2:20-26

Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.  Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
 So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.  Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.  And the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil,  correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,  and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

-2 Timothy 2:20-26

Back in verse 19, Paul brings up God's firm foundation, referring to “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”.  Paul continues on with the idea of the second one about departing from iniquity.  Bringing up a picture of a house and vessels, the example is given of vessels used for honorable use and vessels used for dishonorable use.  The point made is that cleansing oneself from what is dishonorable will lead to becoming a vessel for honorable use.  Because of this, Timothy is charged by Paul to "flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace".  He is not only called to flee what is bad (youthful passions), but also called to pursue what is good (righteousness, faith, love and peace).  Perhaps it is just as important to move toward what is good as it is to move away from what is bad.  In any case, this is the charge and it is not something set aside for only Timothy.  This is something that others do as well.  Timothy is called to do this "along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart".  This is what those who call on the Lord in sincerity do.

Another instruction is given, and that is to "have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies".  The reason for this is because "they breed quarrels".  This is a bad thing because "the Lord's servant must not be quarrelsome".  If we (servants of God) are not to be quarrelsome and foolish, ignorant controversies breed quarrels, then we should have nothing to do with them.  That only makes sense.  Instead of being quarrelsome, servants of God are to be "kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness".  This is important because it is right and in line with God.  However, Paul also speaks of this with regards to salvation.  Acting in such a way is in the hopes that they may be saved.  Sure, God can save someone regardless of what we do.  However, we must do our best to present and convey who God is by what we say and what we do.  Through that, God may perhaps bring the lost to their senses.  This is actually a passage that I am quite fond of.  I am prone to be harsh, abrasive and mean towards others, especially when they don't see the truth.  My actions are obviously sinful and I have hurt people in the past.  However, this verse reminds me not to be like that (and I certainly need to hear it).  It is a beautiful reminder of how I am to act and that it is God who may perhaps grant repentance.  It is not what I do that saves them, but what God does.