I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at[a]His appearing and His kingdom:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2 Timothy 4:1-5 (NKJV)
What should be the most urgent thing that we do? Should our major pursuit be that of discovering comfort, joy, power and prestige in this life as we live it? Or should there be a greater purpose? Paul was in a dark, dungeon writing this his last letter to his protégé. He loved Timothy like a son and now urges him to preach the word when it seems expedient and when it does not. He urges Timothy to keep his eyes focused on eternity. One day the Lord Jesus Christ will return as final Judge! Just as certain that Jesus came, died upon the cross and rose again on the third day; He will return to establish His kingdom. He pleaded, “Timothy, my dear son, keep this in mind as you meet people along your life’s journey. Eternity hangs in the balance for their soul. This entire life that we are given is but a split second compared to eternity. This is far more important than your comfort or your desires. Yes, many will not listen. Many will call you a fool. You will endure hardship and affliction along this path, just as I have and perhaps, even worse; but, you must press on to do your work as an evangelist! You must march on to fulfill your ministry with a sense of urgency!!”
As I watch the events of the world unfolding with so much tragedy, sorrow, corruption of governments, poverty and despair; I feel an urgency to press forward at spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, at whatever cost to me. That is the reason and purpose for which I write. Perhaps, you as my reader have not noticed; I do not have any money making ads. I do not make any income from this ministry of mine; instead, I keep it going through spending money. In that, God has blessed me with another career for which I am able to do that. I choose to live modestly that I might continue to spread God’s Word of hope, joy, and love to the world. For that purpose, I arise very early each day to study His Word, to pray, and to write. This website is my labor of love for you. Can I speak of love and not share with you the most precious treasure I have been given? My greatest treasure is to know Jesus Christ as my Redeemer, my Friend, and my beloved King. My eternity is securely held in the palm of His hand.
I have a dear friend who is dying of cancer and as she told me that she was going home, to her precious home; I told her I wish I was going with her or that I could take her place. To stand before my Beloved Savior- face to face will be Joy everlasting, greater than my heart could imagine. I will soon! But until that day, I must remain filled with this purpose to preach the gospel and reach as many as I can with that truth. For that is what love demands!
So, what is it that Paul urged Timothy to do?
1. Convince– We are to stand firm, unwavering on the truth of the gospel both by word and deed. I cannot convince anyone without also living the truth of my salvation. I must be willing to be vulnerable. My eternity is secure because of God’s Grace, having received the gift of His Son’s payment for my sin by faith alone. I am not perfected; although, I must strive to grow in the righteousness that I have been cloaked with.
2. Rebuke–At whatever cost to myself, I must be willing to denounce evil and sin; both in my own life and in the society around me.
3. Exhort–Lift up the hands that are hanging down. I must be willing to study the word, endure hardships and then reach forth a hand of love to those who are falling. I must be an encourager, a cheerleader and a prayer warrior for those around me.
4. With longsuffering–I must be willing to suffer with patience, kindness and love
5. Teach–in order to teach I must be willing to devote many hours to prayerfully studying God’s word
So, this is my plea to you as well.
[bctt tweet=”Take your eyes off of you & see the urgency of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ” username=”effiedarlene”]
[bctt tweet=”We have no greater calling than this: To spread the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world” username=”effiedarlene”]
[bctt tweet=”Christ is coming again How many souls will rise to meet Him because of your willing sacrifice?” username=”effiedarlene”]
[tweetthis]How much suffering are you willing to endure for the salvation of one soul?[/tweetthis]
Photo courtesy of: https://unsplash.com/@benwhitephotography
New King James Version (NKJV)Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.