Gem for Tuesday
May 17
"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." (2 Timothy 4:2)
"Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." (2 Timothy 4:2)
The servant is to proclaim "the word." This is not simply the gospel to the sinner, but "the word" of God to both sinner and saint. There is a necessity too for urgency in preaching as well as to preach at all seasons. The word of God is for all people at all times. "Conviction" and "rebuke" may be called for both among saints and sinners. But this can only be by the preaching of the word; for it is only the word that produces conviction. We may seek to convict and rebuke by our own words and arguments only to find we irritate and call forth resentment. Rebukes, if they are to be effectual, must be based upon the word of God. For those who are willing to bow to the word and accept its convictions and rebukes , there is the word of encouragement. (Hamilton Smith - The Second Epistle to Timothy)
N.J. Hiebert # 2250
