2 Timothy 4:2

preach the word; be ready in season {and} out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

     Paul commands Timothy here to preach the word. This is one of the most vital aspects of being a Christian. It is our responsibility to be preaching the word of God. We need to see how important this is. There is nothing that we as Christians have to offer those in the world whom we love. We have the gift of eternal life. We have the way to forgiveness of sins and a relationship with God. We have the way to joy and peace in this life here and earth. We have all of this to offer people if we would just open our mouths.

     Paul says that we need to preach this word, and to be ready to preach it in season and out of season. By this he means that he wants us to preach it even when people do not want to hear it. While the gospel has so much to offer people, it also can make them uncomfortable because it moves people to change. We do not like to change or to be made uncomfortable. The gospel, when it reaches man does not leave him unchanged. Therefore, even though people need it they may not want it. We must preach it anyway.

     This does not give us license to preach it in an ungodly or unloving fashion however. Above all we need to show patience. The word of God is not always quickly obeyed. Even those who are willing to serve God may fall short because of a lack of knowledge or discipline. We must be ready to instruct them more surely in the way of God. We can show them the path that God has laid out for us to walk. When they veer off or turn aside, we must show patience. This does not mean that we let them forsake the Lord, but that we do show love and understanding toward the difficult changes they are now facing. We must teach the word, but we must teach it with love.

preach the word; be ready in season {and} out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.