Stew for All Seasons

2 Timothy 4-Part 2
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.  2 Timothy 4:2


LET IT GLOW

I recall that Paul is writing this letter to Timothy and the Ephesian church while he is in prison. The end of his life and ministry is soon to be, so we read of the charge Paul gives them.
Warrnen Wiersbe said that it should read "I solemnly witness." It was a serious time in Paul's life, so he wanted to give his son in the faith a sense of its importance. Since Paul was facing death soon, he knew that he would be facing God and his works would be judged. Like Paul sooner or later, we will all stand before our Supreme Judge Jesus, won't we? If I knew that I only had two months to live, what would I do differently?

LET IT GLOW

During our four years in college, we were a family of four living on a tight budget. I had only a small amount of cash to spend each week on groceries, so I learned to be frugal with it. That's when I began saving our leftover vegetables in a quart jar in the freezer. Instead of throwing away small amounts of vegetables, I'd add them to my quart jar. When the jar got full, it was time to make stew and cornbread for supper. Now this happened throughout the years, not just in the winter, which is the season for hot stew. It was good in season and out of season, so to speak. Tasty stew is good in winter and summer. So it is with God's Word. Truly, His Word is spiritual food for all seasons of our life. Am I ready to share it always?

In verse 2, we find five specific commands that Paul gave in association to Timothy's call to the ministry. I think they can apply to us ordinary believers, too.

1. Preach the Word.
    The term kerysso means "to herald, proclaim." An official representative of the king bore the king's
    message, not his own, to the realm or to a specific person. Paul called himself a proclaimer, a keryx, and
    now passes that title onto Tomothy. We are called to proclaim the Scriptures to humanity. Do I proclaim
    my King's message whenever the opportunity arises?

2. Be ready in season and out of season.
    The literal translation of the verb is "stand over." A guard stands over the city, a treaure, or a person to
    protect his charge against attack. We must stand ready at all times and in every circumstance. We are to
    be on the job, no matter what. Am I ready to faithfully proclaim God's Word?

3. Rebuke.
    To rebuke is to call attention to wrongdoing and to assign responsibility. It's closely related to reprove,
    except that the desired response is humility instead of conviction. We must declare the truth and its
    consequences if they are being ignored. Do I rebuke in a humble manner?

4. Exhort.
    Derived from the verb parakaleo, one of the names for the Holy spirit is "Paralete."  It pictures the
    relationship of a coach to their athlete-in training. Do I patiently training others in the church in godly living?
    Do I help people  get back on their feet after they have fallen down?

[Resource: Swindoll's New Testament Insights on 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus]

All of these commands are to be followed with longsuffering and doctrine, patience and instruction. We must have a long fuse, slow to address wrongs against us, not be a doormat, but a reprover and rebuker with humility. Sounds like we need self-control and discernment from the Holy Spirit.

LET IT GO

Patiently teach the Truth and leave the consequences to God.

Always be ready to share the Word.

Seek the Lord whenever there's a need for rebuking, so it's handled with humility His way.

Encourage others' faithfulness.