“In the
presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead,
and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach
the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and
encourage—with great patience and careful instruction” (2 Timothy 4:1-2).
“Preach the
word” is not a phrase that goes over well with many people today. If we have convinced ourselves that there is
no “right” or “wrong” and that “everything is ok, as long as it is ok for you”,
then “the word” really has nothing to say.
Oddly, “Preach
the word” does not always go over much better in church settings either. These days, church discussions often center
more around things like presentation, programs and performance than they do on the
word. “How” we do things often
overshadows the “why”.
In both
cases, inside and outside the church, “Preach the word” can come across as a
very “Old-fashioned” idea.
However,
just because something is old-fashioned does not mean that it is not
useful. Lifejackets have been around for
hundreds of years, but if you are going to throw me into a lake I want one. Old-fashioned or not, a lifejacket is still
useful and (the way I swim) necessary.
As well,
just because something is old-fashioned does not mean that it is not
beautiful. The sun always sets in the
same way, but it is often spectacular.
You have been to many weddings, but each one is memorable. It is the same with God’s message. Though he has been calling for years, his
invitation is still wonderful. Isaiah
says it this way: “Come,
all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come,
buy and eat… Seek the Lord while he may be found; call on him while he
is near… Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our
God, for he will freely pardon” (Isaiah 55:1, 6-7).
As
Christian people, all we really have to offer is the message of God’s
love. Everything else that people find
at church (friends, encouragement, programs) can be found elsewhere (in service
clubs, sports teams, etc.). It’s our
message that sets us apart. It is the
hope that we have, based on the story of God, that makes us different.
Never
give up on the “old-fashioned” word of God.
It is still powerful!
“For
the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it
penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the
thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12).
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