In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage — with great patience and careful instruction. – 2 Timothy 4:1-2

For many who have come across the above verses, Apostle Paul is simply giving his son, Timothy, a charge to never stop preaching and doing the work of God. I once had an encounter with a person who thinks of these verses as a gentle coercion. All sentiments can be argued out effectively and may seem valid. However, the purest truth and revelation in this verse comes from the Apostle’s ability to foreshadow the things to come, as inspired by the Holy Spirit.

There’s no denying that the church faced intense persecution at the time of Apostle Paul, it was to get worse in the time of Timothy. The Apostle, in his bid to prepare his son for what is to come in his ministry, charges Timothy to remain true and faithful to the work of God and the spreading of the gospel at all times. In season, out of season, In famine, in plenty, in persecution and in death. He was to remain faithful to the Lord’s work.

By extension, the Apostle speaks to us also. These are perilous times. It is easy for the laborers of God today to put down their plowing tools than to go on. On the news and in our lives we see Christians suffer so many distractions, discouragement, persecution, sicknesses and even death for the sake of the gospel. Apostle Paul, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is charging us to keep pushing for Christ. Despite the shame, scarcity, distraction, mockery, threats and discrimination. We must keep pushing, until the very end. May the good Lord continue to help us, Amen!