WORD From The Woods
2 Timothy 4:1-8
“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; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”
I mentioned earlier in our study of this letter from Paul to Timothy, that this was written near the end of Paul’s life. You can tell from the way he wrote that he had a sense of urgency. John Calvin said that this letter might as well have been written not with ink, but with Paul’s own blood. As he said in verse 6, he was already being poured out as a drink offering and the time of his departure had come. So at the end of this letter written near the end of his life, Paul wrote to his beloved son in the faith, Timothy, some of the most important and foundational truths of the Christian faith. In verse 4, Paul charged Timothy in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, invoking Christ’s authority as Judge of the living and the dead. That authority is proven by His resurrection and ascension to His throne at the right hand of the Father. We can’t miss the gravity of what Paul said in this charge to Timothy! Everything Paul said in this letter is based on the reality of Christ’s authority as the King of the universe. If Christ is not Lord of all, then He is not Lord at all, and none of the words in Scripture have any authority or eternal value. This is why we must believe in our heart and confess with our mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead. (Romans 10) Otherwise, our faith is futile and our ministry is in vain (1 Cor. 15). Of course we know, and have believed that Christ has indeed been raised, and He has ascended to the right hand of the Father where He is seated on His throne! In light of this reality, we can press on boldly and follow Paul’s charge to preach the word, always be ready to do the work of ministry that God has called us to in truth and confidence. Brethren cling to the hope of this glorious and eternal gospel truth!
God bless and have a great week! -Terry-
2 Timothy 4:1-8
“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; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”
I mentioned earlier in our study of this letter from Paul to Timothy, that this was written near the end of Paul’s life. You can tell from the way he wrote that he had a sense of urgency. John Calvin said that this letter might as well have been written not with ink, but with Paul’s own blood. As he said in verse 6, he was already being poured out as a drink offering and the time of his departure had come. So at the end of this letter written near the end of his life, Paul wrote to his beloved son in the faith, Timothy, some of the most important and foundational truths of the Christian faith. In verse 4, Paul charged Timothy in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, invoking Christ’s authority as Judge of the living and the dead. That authority is proven by His resurrection and ascension to His throne at the right hand of the Father. We can’t miss the gravity of what Paul said in this charge to Timothy! Everything Paul said in this letter is based on the reality of Christ’s authority as the King of the universe. If Christ is not Lord of all, then He is not Lord at all, and none of the words in Scripture have any authority or eternal value. This is why we must believe in our heart and confess with our mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead. (Romans 10) Otherwise, our faith is futile and our ministry is in vain (1 Cor. 15). Of course we know, and have believed that Christ has indeed been raised, and He has ascended to the right hand of the Father where He is seated on His throne! In light of this reality, we can press on boldly and follow Paul’s charge to preach the word, always be ready to do the work of ministry that God has called us to in truth and confidence. Brethren cling to the hope of this glorious and eternal gospel truth!
God bless and have a great week! -Terry-