Organizing the Inside – Day 243 Keeping a Clear Focus On the Truth

May 3, 2012 at 8:00 am · Filed under Encouragement, Love, Purpose, Wisdom, Women's Ministry and tagged: Christian, Christianity, Holy Spirit, Itching Ears, Religion and Spirituality

1I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: 2Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. 3For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4They will reject the truth and chase after myths. 5But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. 2 Timothy 4:1-4 (NLT)

Will we have to give an account for our work?
Paul urges Timothy to be ready to preach the Word whether it was a convenient time or not. As Christians in today’s modern world we have that same responsibility. While exercising patience with new Christians or unbelievers it is important to share the truth. This should be the goal of every Christian. We are living in a time when the plain simple truth is just not what many people want to hear. Many are anxiously waiting, itching to hear something that will make them feel good about the lifestyle they’d rather live.  I’m convinced that many are far more in love with the world than God. It saddens me to see buildings filled with would-be worshipers who’d rather hear a message of prosperity than holiness. Paul shares how he had to deal with this in his last words to Timothy. Demas has deserted me because he loves the things of this life and has gone to Thessalonica. 2 Timothy 4:10 (NLT)

God wants our minds to stay clear.
Keeping a clear mind comes from a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. Don’t override the message that comes to your heart from the Holy Spirit. The Word of God gives us a road map to live by. Our lives are guided by the principles of truth we find there. Paul urged Timothy to use the Word to correct, rebuke and encourage others. Jesus is the Word, and when we have a relationship with Him, the inner work of the Holy Spirit keeps us from going astray.

Here’s my personal temperature check.
Each time I recall this verse it puts things in proper perspective for me. This is my frequent, yet personal reality check, which keeps my heart focused. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 1 John 2:15 (KJV) I love how this verse speaks to my heart, perhaps a tap upside the head to say, “Hey, what’s really important?” If you haven’t already done so, I encourage you to find your own reality check to keep you focused.

The church (body of Christ) needs believers who refuse to compromise the truth.
Are you fully carrying out the ministry God has given you?
Are you willing to take a less popular road and proclaim God’s righteous truth?
How much are you willing to suffer for the sake of the gospel?
What if everyone around you deserted you, would you still share the truth?

Comments (8)