“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; …” (v. 1-2a)
We don’t know for sure, but this could have been Paul’s final communication to Timothy. Paul was imprisoned in Rome, and his prospects weren’t looking good. “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.” (v. 6) So, with this dire situation in mind, what did he want his final admonition to Timothy to be? Preach the Word!
If it was that important to Paul, perhaps it should be that important to me as well. I look around me, and everyone I see is bound for an appointment with Jesus at the final judgement. Have I given them the opportunity they need to be prepared?
Paul knew that not everyone would listen to him, or would want to hear what he had to say. “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions.” (v. 3) That didn’t stop him from preaching the Word. He knew Timothy would encounter the same; that didn’t stop him from encouraging Timothy to preach the Word.
So what is holding me back? Is it the thought that some people simply don’t believe God exists, or don’t believe He is relevant to their lives? Paul’s response to this is “Preach the Word!”.
Perhaps it is that people do believe, but they’re busy, focused on other aspects of their lives, raising children or building their careers. They just aren’t ready yet to have a serious spiritual discussion. Paul’s response to this is “Preach the Word!”.
Maybe it’s because I’m fearful of the questions people may ask, or the objections they may raise. I fear that I don’t know the Bible well enough to respond effectively to these questions or objections. If I don’t, I have failed to “do my best to present myself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (ch. 2, v. 15) Paul’s response to this is “Preach the Word!”.
I’m doing a lot of soul-searching and repenting, even as I’m writing these words. I pray that as you’re reading, I’m not the only one.
Rod's Quiet Time 