Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. —2 Timothy 4:2
Paul the apostle charged his spiritual son, Timothy, to preach the Word with courage, conviction, and patience. Why was such an exhortation necessary? What else is there to preach? One can preach opinion, personal conviction, church dogmas, traditions of men, fables, false doctrine, etc. Paul’s charge to Timothy resonates with urgency for ministers today. Preach the life-giving Word so that souls can be delivered from the power of sin and live righteous, godly lives. The philosophies of men and legislated doctrines of religion will not bring peace to the soul and will not prepare people for eternity. The wisdom of the world will not answer the deepest needs of the soul.
It is by the foolishness of preaching; it is the preaching of the cross and Christ crucified that will show the path to sincere seekers. If you do not preach the Word, who will? Many share their brand of religion, but few preach the narrow way that frees from bondage and leads to life everlasting.
Paul warned Timothy that a time would come when people would not want to hear sound doctrine and truth. They would seek teachers to preach what is pleasant to the ears and easy on the flesh. They would turn away from truth and label it as a fable. We live in such a time.
There is pressure from within and without to preach what meets personal sensibilities. Some want an easy doctrine preached that requires no self-denial. Some want to hear that one can be accepted by God and yet continue in sin. Some people want to live worldly lives after the flesh and yet have their preacher tell them on Sunday that all is well with their souls. To my fellow gospel workers: “Preach the Word.”
While some want to take away from the Word, there are others who want to add to it. Some want to set their personal standards to the level of doctrine. They want to teach for doctrine the commandments of men. They seek to establish their own brand of truth by a spirit of spiritual superiority. To my fellow gospel workers: “Preach the Word.”
“Our Father which art in Heaven, would you please divinely empower the ministry with wisdom and discernment. Would you help us stay hidden behind the cross of Christ
and preach the pure Word of God without adding to or taking away from it. Grant us grace and strength to remain steadfast and resist the pressures around us. Please help us to be good stewards of the gospel in this dispensation. May we fulfill Paul’s charge and faithfully preach the Word, in season and out of season. In the name of Jesus,
we pray. Amen.” ■
