There is no substitue

I am doing a study on the book of 2 Timothy and have found much of what Paul writes to Timothy to be a present reality and an absolute necessity in my life.  We are wrapping up the book and I have been studying chapter 4 and find myself captured by God's truth through Paul in His final instructions to Timothy.

The charge is clear and there is no room for debate in what is being said here.  Paul is charging Timothy in the presence of God and Christ to "Preach the Word"!  I have been increasingly encouraged as God has revealed more and more of what this means exactly.  Many days this seems like an overwhelming task and in the flesh it is just that...but through trust and faith in the Word (John 1:1) to do the work, the charge becomes a matter of obedience on my part...not a matter of producing results.

To preach, proclaim or herald the Word of God is to announce the King's news.  What an honor to be called to announce the greatest news ever given.  However, this calling seems to have been twisted a bit in some places.  The job to announce and proclaim has been made into a job of negotiating and tweaking.  It is never the job of a herald to negotiate the King's news...only proclaim it!  

We are messengers of a perfect and holy gospel, window dressing is not necessary nor is it called for.  The entire Word of God...His complete counsel and revealed truth is the news we are to proclaim unashamedly and faithfully (2 Timothy 1).  As we see in chapter 4 verses 3 and 4 the likelihood that people will tolerate it is unlikely...but that does not mean they do not need it.  We all need it!  

There is no substitute because, "the gospel is the power of God for salvation to all who would believe" (Romans 1:16).  If we are not giving people the gospel...we are not giving them anything at all.