FULL PROOF

FULL PROOF!

2 Tim 4:2-5

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

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

           Like packing for a long trip, Paul is trying to tie up loose ends with his young apprentice, Timothy. Paul would not return from this trip and Timothy would soon be responsible for a daunting ministry. Here are some of the things that Timothy must understand.

           There would be a great temptation to become distracted with those things that would dissipate his strength and resources. Paul warned him to focus on preaching the word! Politics, the chamber of commerce, and various service clubs would appeal to him but he must remember his calling. He must always remember that the “good” is the enemy of the “best.”

           Reprove! Challenge wrong where you find it and in whom you find it. Rebuke! Censure and forbid wrong whenever possible for the sake of the wrongdoer. Exhort! Encourage right decisions, right attitudes, and right actions. Be a cheerleader for good. Do all this patiently because it will take time and much remedial teaching.

           The time will come! The climate will soon change and become inhospitable to good. Men will become more selfish and stubborn. Your efforts will require more energy and you will see less and less positive results. In spite of this, do not be discouraged nor abandon your work. “Watch thou in all things!”

           Endure hardness! Build spiritual muscle and make your hands rough and hard by working. Weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice even when those emotions collide in incongruity!

           There is a crown! I shall soon obtain mine, but there awaits one for all them also that love His appearing! The Lord is at hand! Sprint to the finish!

Ps 31:19

19 Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!

Dear Lord, I can dimly see the finish line and I want to sprint to the tape! Let me make full proof of what you have for me to do. AMEN