Watch Thou in All Things
Second Timothy 4:2-5 contains the finest advice a Christian can obtain save from the words of the Master. We are told to, among other things, preach Christ’s truth regardless of the hearer’s desire or aptitude. We are to be both loving and strong as we reprove, rebuke, and exhort because, Paul continues, a time is coming (and now is) when men will not desire or heed Christ’s truth but rather will seek to have their ears soothed with smooth and fair speeches. And then he adds this sage advice, “But watch thou in all things” (2 Tim. 4:5).
This sobering instruction, though given to one young Christian, must be applied to the hearts of all concerned followers of the Savior. Salvation is still the same today as it was when Paul penned these encouragements so long ago. And since it is the same now as then, it must also be approached in the same manner. So sad are we who realize that little consideration is given such somber instruction even by men claiming to be Gospel teachers and preachers.
Therefore, the implied question must be asked, “Can the message remain the same when our method has altered so drastically?” Can a world needing the true “bread of life” remain satisfied or find salvation in the pillows and balloons we issue with each sermon? Can the crowds find Christ’s burning messages when our pulpits no longer ring with His blessed truth? “Jesus Christ and Him crucified” was enough for one apostle yet our soothing balm of watered-down compromise seems to be the call of the day. The message of the Master, the message His followers gladly taught is the message of the cross and unless we “take up His cross” our empty pews will remain a constant reminder of a job incorrectly done. Preaching “peace” when there is no peace is like the ostrich with its head in the sand. The cross, and its message, is the only hope of the world.
Preachers who have been called by Christ to preach His Word must see their place as an opportunity to serve rather than a position for hire. Our stand must be solid on the “Rock of our salvation” rather than on our name or place of schooling. The popular stand is not always the truthful one and in fact seldom is, but with truth is where Christ stood and so must we. Our strength is not in our tact but in His message and our concern must be for the lost, not the suffix attached to our name. To paint with words a beautiful sermon is a talent but to show Christ as He really is, is our challenge. Like modern day poets we might appeal to man’s ears but do our words explain the answer to man’s most pressing need, “What must I do to be saved?”
Why has the example of our preaching forefathers been so obviously ignored? Why instead of following their steadfastness and forthrightness have we cottoned to apathy and compromise? God has always called men to preach His truth and not to design a truth of their own.
Our time is now spent, not in conquering the windmills of man, but rather in re-thinking and re-structuring the battles of our preceding past. Now, instead of challenging the false thinking of the world we find ourselves being handed back to superstition, ignorance, and sectarianism that the men of the Restoration began to battle and the preachers of a generation past, I thought, defeated. A world and a brotherhood of disunity has spawned a new style of preaching; that is, preaching unity where there is no unity and love where there is no understanding. Christ’s unity has been rent asunder by man’s creed, edicts, and traditions and such can be said also in His church. His love and sacrifice has been hidden by a party-spirited climate and division makers of every ilk.
There is but one way to please the Father and any alteration from His scheme will fail and fall. Unity cannot be found by setting aside our religious differences but rather by “searching the scriptures daily to prove those things are so.” Such setting aside would only serve to further water down God’s word which would naturally lead to a total dismantling by man of God’s heritage. Unity can only be realized by sincerely showing our differences in light of God’s Word. Any difference which does not have bearing on His truth is not a difference at all but rather an opinion for personal approval. When truth speaks, our opinions cease and until truth is found and accepted nothing is settled.
The plan and message of the New Testament is an unyielding force that cannot change. It is clearly stated and must be clearly presented. And then as all stand before His blessed throne on that faithful day we will all be ready to give an answer to every deed, every word, and every action in accordance with His truth. God’s law has never catered to man’s whims or fancies, therefore, we must “preach the word” both “in season and out of season”, we must “reprove, rebuke, and exhort” with “all longsuffering and doctrine.” And we also must “watch in all things” concerning self, the church, and the brotherhood. C. Lected
This is a “borrowed” article, but well worth reading and heeding.
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
