The Charge to Preach

Sowing Seeds

Paul gave a serious charge to his ward Timothy, to preach the word! The charge was serious because it was made, “before God and the Lord Jesus Christ who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom” (2 Timothy 4:1).

Without forgetting in the context that Timothy was a young evangelist, I would like to emphasize how important it is to the Father and Son for disciples to share the gospel of our Lord. It is not worded as a suggestion, or even a plea. It is a charge!

The Almighty God in heaven, and His Son, to whom He gave the right to judge is giving an order to “Preach the word! Be ready in season, and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (4:2).

The world frowns upon any Christian who has the temerity to “proselytize.” However, that is exactly what God requires of us. “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you…” (Matthew 28:19-20).

Simply put, we take our marching orders from the Lord. And, as our general, He has been given absolute authority over us. We are to do His will, without hesitation or question. His marching orders are to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15). Are we heeding the charge of our Lord?

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Author: Stan Cox

Minister, West Side church of Christ since August of 1989 ........ Editor of Watchman Magazine (1999-2018 Archives available online @ http://watchmanmag.com) ........ Writer, The Patternists: https://www.facebook.com/ThePatternists