Preach The Word
Paul wrote to Timothy, “I charge
you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus who is to judge the living and
the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word” (II Tim
4:1-2). The charge of Paul to Timothy to preach the word was motivated by three
important aspects of Christian reality: the final judgment, the Second Coming
of Christ, and the fulfillment of the Kingdom of God.
As the final judgment is imminent,
we must spread the Gospel quickly to all the people, so that they may turn away
from their wicked deeds and believe in the Lord. Only in Christ can everyone
escape the terrible judgment. The Lord has entrusted not only the church, but
also every individual to preach the word. Believers in the TrueChurch
must be ready to strive for the Gospel (Phil 1:27). We must gather our
resources together to this end.
The prophet Isaiah said, “Enlarge
the place of your tent and let the curtains of your habitations be stretched
out; hold not back, lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. For you
will spread abroad to the right and to the left” (Is 54:2). “Curtains” here
refer to the body of Christ (Heb 10:20). “Stretched out” refers to the
preaching of the Gospel to all parts of the world. “Lengthen the cord” refers
to the gathering of strength together. We can preach the Gospel to all parts of
the world provided we can work together. If the church cannot work together in
one accord, the believers will be scattered (Mt 12:30).
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