Preach The Word

Preach The Word

Near the end of his last epistle Paul gives Timothy a solemn exhortation in the most awe inspiring language.  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… (2Tim 4:1-2).  As someone wisely said, matters of the greatest import must be pressed with the greatest vehemence.  Paul does not call upon the Almighty Judge, refer to His Parousia and mention His Kingdom unless the matter in question is of the utmost significance.  Preach the word!  This must be for Timothy a top priority.  As a minister of the gospel he must proclaim the gospel.  It is a non-negotiable.  Of course Paul is not saying Timothy has nothing else to do, though some ministers appear to interpret the command this way.  Rather, Timothy must make preaching his top priority.  His grand and glorious business as a faithful steward must be the proclamation of Christ.   

Abide in the Teaching

Israel’s failure in this regard led to a severe rebuke.  My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…  a people without understanding shall come to ruin…  For the spirit of whoredom is within them, and they know not the Lord (Hos 4:6, 14; 5:4).  The Hebrew heralds had not fulfilled their commission.  Israel lacked knowledge and understanding.  John says, Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son (2Jn 9).  The teaching is crucial to salvation.   

Appointed Heralds

Yes, it is humbling to hear the gospel from mere jars of clay (2Cor 4:7) just as it was humbling for Namaan to deal with a servant and wash in the Jordan (2Kgs 5:9-12).  But in either case, there is no healing apart from the appointed means.  God’s power is made perfect in weakness (2Cor 12:9).  Would we refuse to quench our thirst if the water was provided in a styrofoam cup?  It pleases God to offer salvation through good news proclaimed by fallible men.  Who are we to argue?  Praise Him for appointing heralds who can sympathize with us in our miseries.  Petition Him to appoint heralds who will not shirk their duty and above all things will preach the word!