Faithful to My Calling
As a servant of Christ, entrusted with the responsibility to proclaim His truth, I am compelled to heed the words of Mark 16:15, where Jesus commanded His disciples to "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." This directive leaves no room for selective teaching or watering down the message of salvation. When He tells me to preach the gospel, I take it that He means the Whole gospel.
Likewise, 2 Timothy 4:2 instructs us to "preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction." Many people don’t like to be corrected or rebuked; they only want encouragement. However, my commitment to God requires me to provide both correction and encouragement, staying true to His Word.
In 2 Timothy 4:2, Paul emphasizes the importance of teaching God's Word fully and faithfully. This means sharing not only the comforting and uplifting parts but also the parts that challenge us and call us to grow. My dedication to God compels me to provide balanced teaching, offering correction and rebuke when needed, along with encouragement, always with great patience and careful instruction.
In a world that often seeks only the "feel-good" aspects of Scripture, it becomes imperative for me, as a vessel of the Holy Spirit, to teach the whole counsel of God. This means addressing uncomfortable truths such as sin, repentance, and the necessity for holiness. I am mindful of those who may resist such teachings, preferring instead a diluted version of the gospel that compromises the standards set by God's Word.
Yet, like Paul admonished Timothy, I am resolved to teach with boldness and conviction, unafraid to reprove, rebuke, and exhort when necessary. For it is not my own wisdom or opinion that I proclaim, but the timeless truths found within the pages of Scripture. Therefore, I embrace the charge to faithfully declare the entirety of God's Word, trusting in the Holy Spirit to convict hearts, transform lives, and bring about genuine repentance and revival.
In 1 Corinthians 9:16, Paul expresses his compulsion to preach the gospel, saying, "For when I preach the gospel, I cannot boast, since I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!" Similarly, in Ephesians 3:7-8, he humbly acknowledges his role as a servant of the gospel, stating, "I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power. Although I am less than the least of all the Lord’s people, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the boundless riches of Christ."
Furthermore, in Colossians 1:28-29, Paul underscores the goal of his ministry, saying, "He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ. To this end I strenuously contend with all the energy Christ so powerfully works in me." I declare this same goal for myself.
I want all my readers to understand that these scriptures serve as a constant reminder to me of the divine calling and empowerment I have received to proclaim the gospel boldly and faithfully, trusting in God's grace and power to accomplish His purposes through all of us.
Fifty years ago, I committed my life to serving the Lord. I hold an associate degree in Christian Education and a bachelor’s degree in Christian Counseling. I live by 1 Corinthians 9:16, Ephesians 3:7-8, and Colossians 1:28-29. In my retirement, I focus on study and sharing the teachings of God’s Word with others. Besides writing this Blog I maintain 3 Facebook pages dedicated to spreading the Word of God. Email: hopeinchrist2024@yahoo.com