According to 2 Timothy 4:1-2, “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
longsuffering and doctrine.” Judgment is according to God's righteous
standard in view of the return of Jesus Christ as King of Kings and Lord of
Lords. Paul gave Timothy this charge, "preach the word." Everything is under God's watchful eye
and shall be evaluated by Him. We are no longer under condemnation of sin,
but we will be evaluated according to that which he has entrusted to us to use
for His glory according to the measure of His blessings to us. Therefore be
prepared for the coming again of the Lord. Be prepared by putting on the
spiritual armor and spending time in the Word, and in prayer, in the presence
of the Lord and in the presence of godly men and women.
The
calling to speak the Word of God does not depend on whether or not the audience
believes. Be prepared because we'll never rise above our level of
preparedness. Be prepared to convince, rebuke, correct, and encourage with
the right motives and the right attitude. God will judge us according to
the right motive of our own hearts. If not done with the love of God, even
speaking the truth will profit us nothing. Therefore, speaking the truth in love that we may grow up into him who
is the head over all things, even Christ. God will call alongside men and
women who will correct and "chasten" us to "restore us to an
upright position." This takes the commitment to share the Word of God
with shameless audacity. As Paul said, "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, for it is the gospel of
God unto salvation, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." For we preach not ourselves, but Jesus
Christ and him crucified... unto them that are saved the sweet smelling
fragrance of life unto life.
May God richly bless you,
Your brother in Christ, Michael
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