Be instant in season and out of season —II Timothy 4:2
Many Christians suffer from the unbalanced natural tendency to "be ready soldiers" only "at certain times, or only when they are riding the crest of a spiritual or emotional experience. The usage of the word season in this verse does not refer to the time of year; but rather it refers to our whole life's journey in this world. This verse says, "Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season." In other words, we should "be ready" at all times, whether we feel like it or not, whether it is popular or unpopular, whether the stream is with us or not. If we do only what we feel inclined to do, or only when things are going well, some of us would never do anything. And that natural tendency doesn't make for a good dedicated and disciplined soldier. The proof that our relationship is right with God is that we do our best for the Lord whether we feel inspired or not, and whether things are going well for us or not. One of the worst traps a Christian worker can fall into is to become obsessed with his own exceptional personal moments of inspiration. Those personal highlights unfortunately don't come along very often. Therefore, as soldiers of the Almighty in a foreign land, we must develop the unique capability of survival under austere conditions. If we become accustomed to only fighting the good fight when it is easy to fight, and the tide is in our favor, then we may develop the tendency to retreat from battle when the tide is against us. The verse concludes with the charge to Christian soldiers to develop the personal attribute of being longsuffering. Longsuffering means to have forbearance, fortitude, and patience while laboring under burdensome circumstances. Victory is never obtained easily.
We not only need to be ready soldiers “out of season,” we need to be “instant” about the fight! Instant means, absolutely without any delay! Being ready instantly, without delay requires Christian to exercise discipline, knowledge, wisdom, dedication and supreme faith with a spiritual endurance in the long-term. The “in-season” and “out of season” instantaneous responses to calls to be ready to reprove, rebuke, and exhort will always work to keep our enemy
on the defensive. The word of the Lord is sharp and quick, and when we instantly utilize it to reprove unrighteousness, rebuke the ungodly, and exhort the faithful, it is a good season!
Hebrew 4:11-12 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Be Ready, in Season, out of Season
Fight the Good Fight,
Finish the Course,
And, Always Keep the Faith!
Author: Darrell G. Young
Copyright©2002
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