2 Timothy 4:4-5: (CSB): They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths. 5 But as for you, exercise self-control in everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
The passage today is from Paul’s last letter, written from prison while he awaits execution. These are some of Paul’s last words. First, Paul warns of people turning from hearing the truth and turning to myths. Paul could be describing our age. Where political narrative is more important and more well know than the facts.
But, notice Paul encourages Timothy to fulfill his ministry. Fulfill his ministry even though the message is not popular, and crowd is hostile. Don’t attack them, but exercise self-control. Maybe we should do the same before hit the post button on FaceBook.
Paul says to endure hardship. Hardship was something Paul was awfully familiar with; he had been flogged, stoned, shipwrecked and hungry for the sake of the Gospel. Paul is not asking Timothy or us to do something he hadn’t done. Enduring hardship gives validity to our message of hope. I have never been on an easy Disaster Relief mission. But, there is something about walking in someone else’s pain that earns you the right to share the Gospel
I think that’s what Paul meant by do the work of an evangelist. Evangelism is so much more than simply giving someone a Gospel presentation. For the message to be heard in this age of myths, relationships must be built. Building relationship is often hard work, but in doing the work you can engage in Gospel conversations.
Lastly, Paul says fulfil your ministry. Timothy’s ministry is the same as our ministry. The ministry of reconciliation given to us by God. Paul to the Corinthians wrote: Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. (2 Cor. 5:18)
Let’s Pray:
Father God,
On this day we thank you for reconciling us to through Christ and giving us the ministry of reconciliation. Forgive us when we fail to exercise self-control, endure hardship, and do the work of the evangelist. Lord, grant us new opportunities to share the Gospel. Open our eyes to those opportunities and give us boldness in them.
We pray these things in Jesus name, Amen.
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