“Herald and preach the Word! Keep your sense of urgency [stand by, be at hand and ready], whether the opportunity seems to be favorable or unfavorable. [Whether it is convenient or inconvenient, whether it is welcome or unwelcome, you as preacher of the Word are to show people in what way their lives are wrong.] And convince them, rebuking and correcting, warning and urging and encouraging them, being unflagging and inexhaustible in patience and teaching.” 2 Timothy 4:2 -> me: Today my verse of the day is the verse referenced on the front of Pastor Steve’s pulpit at church -> “Preach the Word”. In verse one, Paul says that he ‘Charges’ Timothy with these following 5 exhortations. He says that he charges, really nothing short of orders, Timothy in the presence of God and Jesus Christ. Paul would never say this unless he serious meant Timothy to take to heart and take proactive action to engage on what Paul has said. The five exhortations are 1) Preach the Word 2) Be prepared in and out of season 3) Correct 4) Rebuke and 5) Encourage. The last quiet time was about the fact that God’s word is profitable for these 5 things. There is so much focus on speaking God’s truth, not trying to twist His word in working for us and our needs. This is so hard today, because a lot of what we read in God’s word flies right in the face of what the world is trying to tell us is right. But no, we are to correct and rebuke. However, look how Paul follow up after the ‘correct’ and ‘rebuke’ -> encouraging them with inexhaustible patience and teaching. Correction and Rebuke can never come without instruction and teaching…in other words, you better know your stuff…know your stuff through your own study and meditation on the TRUTH.
Our Family WordPress Blog