Be Ready!
“Be ready in season and out of season.” Those were the simple words of instruction from Paul to Timothy in his letter to the young pastor. (2 Timothy 4:2) The apostle was referring to preaching the gospel, but his words are wisdom for all believers.
Every Christian who responds to a call of commitment to service is to heed that basic principle: be ready in season and out of season. No labor of love in the kingdom of God is exciting and easy all the time. Sometimes, it takes every ounce of energy just to show up. On other occasions, pure obedience to commitment is the only way the task gets accomplished. Interestingly, we approach our worldly employment this way. Well, Christianity is also about serving when you feel like it and (especially) when you don’t feel like it. Did the Lord enjoy going to the cross to die for you? No, but He endured it “for the joy that was set before Him.” (Hebrews 12:2) Our Savior and Lord didn’t focus on the cross, but on what it would accomplish. He looked beyond Calvary’s suffering and saw how it would benefit others—you and me. Jesus said, “No one, having put his hand to the plow, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62) The same principle is seen here. Once a servant of Christ makes a commitment to serve, he is expected to be faithful to it. In order to be ready to serve always, a Christian must learn to depend on the grace of God, not on himself. The writer of the letter to the Hebrews exhorts, “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16) God’s Word speaks very strongly about being quick to fulfill commitments (or vows) made before the Lord. It is easy to speak with spiritual boldness during the worship service. It is another matter to be faithful. God uses in a great way those servants of His who are ready in season and out of season to labor for the kingdom of God.
Sin cera, Erik
Erik O. Garthe is Associate Pastor at Canton Baptist Church in Baltimore, Maryland.