In 2 Timothy 4, Paul gives instructions to those in Christ Jesus, which are His church. And what he said may surprise you, since hardly anybody is doing what was asked of the people then and now. He said, “I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” (2 Timothy 4:1-4) So we learn that we are to be ready at any one moment to preach the gospel. The elect of God are all around us and we don’t know when we will have an opportunity to reach them for salvation’s sake. Therefore, we continue to read the Bible daily, pray often, and worship God in song, that His spirit will be with us always. Then, when we are asked to preach, to teach, to reprove, to rebuke, to exhort, we will be ready. There will be no fear, for God will give us the boldness to speak. And the best thing about this is that when we open our mouths, it will be God who will give us those words. This is just the first part of what Paul charged the church to be constant in doing, but who is doing as He instructed? The answer is that hardly anybody is? Why is this? The answer is that more people are into being saved by grace, then actually doing anything for God’s kingdom.
Paul also said, “but watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:5-8) Wow! There is so much to learn from here. We are told to be watchful in all that we do, that we not willfully sin because of temptations, but stay on God’s righteous path. Life isn’t easy, but with Jesus in our lives, it is easier to endure afflictions. We are told that the work of an evangelist is not for just a few people, but for everybody who says they believe in and follow Jesus. Making proof of that ministry means that we true to our words and actually do go forth and are God’s witnesses on the streets, in businesses, at work, with friends and family, and at home. I don’t know about you, for I do not know your heart towards God, but I have given my life to live this way for Christ. It is not a burden but brings me the greatest joy of all to do God’s work in His kingdom. This is called fighting a good fight and finishing this life in the faith well. It is my desire to one day enter heaven to be with Jesus, my Lord, and righteous judge. We will all receive our individual rewards if we are blessed to enter through the gates of God’s heavenly kingdom in heaven. What a time this will be.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, I love the plans You have for my life. It is amazing what You have done and still do through me. Thank You for using me for Your kingdom. And, God, It is wonderful to know that many other people are allowing You to lead them also. I may only know a few of these people in person, but that number has expanded in the hundreds over Facebook, which I am so grateful for. Surely, You have lit a fire in each of us, that Your light may shine forth. Even so vibrantly do we shine forth as we walk in the faith. Reaching the lost doesn’t have to be difficult, for when the Holy Spirit is in us, we can do all things. You are able to lead us to the exact person who has been praying or has been seeking answers. Then, when the words come out of our mouths it is able to pierce that person to the very core, for You are speaking through us unto them. Wow! I am so amazed at all the amazing things You are able to do through people who love and honor You with their whole hearts. Lord, I know what Paul said in 2 Timothy 4 in Your Word, and it was an instruction to the whole church. That we are all to be instant in season, ready to preach the gospel, to teach, to reprove, to rebuke, and to exhort any person You put on our path. This is the work of an evangelist, and I am grateful to be a worker in Your kingdom. This is not a burden, but a blessing in disguise to those who allow You to do a work in their lives. I love to talk to people about You, Jesus, and then pray with and over them. Many mighty miracles have come forth because of prayer, and I know that it was because of Your mighty hand. I believe in You, Jesus. I love You, Lord. Amen.
