November 11, 2015
Truth is often inconvenient. When we are in denial about certain lifestyle habits or practices, it’s inconvenient when someone who cares enough about us confronts us with the truth about our behavior. But, nothing is more important than facing the facts of truth.
“preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.” (2 Timothy 4.2)
An elderly man named Paul, near the end of his life, urgently appealed to a young man named Timothy to be faithful with “the word.” This “word” refers to the plan of God: His spoken word, written word, and word made flesh in Christ. It is all-inclusive; all the words of God, and all that His Son is and was about; the man and His message (see Acts 8.12). So, this all-encompassing word and truth is something that Timothy, and each of us, are to be ready with when it is convenient, and when it is not. We are to use it to reprove (expose, convict). We use it to appeal to others to pursue the pathway of truth. We call others to our side to direct them to a present and future direction with truth. We practice the utmost patience with those responsive as we faithfully instruct them. The key in it all is that we are “ready.” We don’t obnoxiously twist every conversation into a truth presentation to its detriment, but we stand ready, like a guard on guard duty, to seize the teachable moment.
Truth opportunities are as fleeting as the wind. Paul indicated a time would come when sound truth would not be endured (2 Timothy 4.3), which seems an apt description of our times. So, we stand on duty with His truth, ready to faithfully bring it bear on the lives of those responsive. And, there likely is someone near you today who is ready and responsive. Be sensitive and faithful. Be accurate and patient. Be positive and hopeful.
May His truth and word be our passion: for our own lifestyle, and the salvation of others.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2015
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045
“preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.” (2 Timothy 4.2)
An elderly man named Paul, near the end of his life, urgently appealed to a young man named Timothy to be faithful with “the word.” This “word” refers to the plan of God: His spoken word, written word, and word made flesh in Christ. It is all-inclusive; all the words of God, and all that His Son is and was about; the man and His message (see Acts 8.12). So, this all-encompassing word and truth is something that Timothy, and each of us, are to be ready with when it is convenient, and when it is not. We are to use it to reprove (expose, convict). We use it to appeal to others to pursue the pathway of truth. We call others to our side to direct them to a present and future direction with truth. We practice the utmost patience with those responsive as we faithfully instruct them. The key in it all is that we are “ready.” We don’t obnoxiously twist every conversation into a truth presentation to its detriment, but we stand ready, like a guard on guard duty, to seize the teachable moment.
Truth opportunities are as fleeting as the wind. Paul indicated a time would come when sound truth would not be endured (2 Timothy 4.3), which seems an apt description of our times. So, we stand on duty with His truth, ready to faithfully bring it bear on the lives of those responsive. And, there likely is someone near you today who is ready and responsive. Be sensitive and faithful. Be accurate and patient. Be positive and hopeful.
May His truth and word be our passion: for our own lifestyle, and the salvation of others.
Steve
©Steve Taylor, 2015
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045
posted by steve @ 7:33 AM
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