The Priority of the Gospel
2 Timothy 2:1-13
In these verses Paul stresses the importance of the gospel to Timothy.
First, the gospel is to be SHARED. “And what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” (vs. 2) Entrusting others with the gospel message is of utmost importance! None of us are going to be around forever! If we live like we are we will end up being an obstacle to the spread of the gospel instead of a catalyst for it. Every single one of us who have embraced the gospel should be training others to share it.
Second, stay FOCUSED on the task of sharing the gospel. “No one serving as a soldier gets entangled in the concerns of civilian life; he seeks to please the recruiter.” (vs. 4) If we were to be honest, most of us would admit that we are easily distracted from the task of sharing the gospel. We are distracted by the cares and comforts of this world and we lose the sense of priority that we should have for sharing the gospel! There is NOTHING more important than sharing the gospel! NOTHING! Yet, the choices and decisions we make on a daily basis don’t always reflect that priority.
Third, ENDURE all things for the sake of the gospel. “I suffer for it to the point of being bound like a criminal, but God’s message is not bound. This is why I endure all things for the elect: so that they also may obtain salvation, which is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory.” (vs. 9-10) Paul endured many things for the sake of the gospel (see 2 Corinthians 11:24-27 for a list of examples). The word “uncomfortable” would be an understatement to describe what Paul endured! Yet, to him, there was nothing that was “too much” to bear for the sake of the gospel. There was no price that was “too high” to pay. There was no suffering that was “too great.” I’m afraid that attitude just isn’t reflected very much in our lives today. In fact, many of us “sell out” for FAR LESS than anything Paul endured! Suffering for the sake of the gospel is almost a foreign concept for many of us in Western Christianity. We’ll share the gospel only when it is comfortable and convenient; otherwise, forget about it! But the gospel is MUCH more important than our comfort!
I pray that these verses would awaken those of us who have embraced the gospel! I pray it would jolt us out of our apathy and shake us from our complacency! I pray that it would set a fire under us and help us see the futility of that which we have substituted for sharing the gospel in our lives. Let’s open our eyes to see those around us who need the gospel shared with them. Let’s open our ears to hear the cries of those searching for the truth we have embraced. Let’s open our mouths and proclaim the truth that has the power to set people free from the weight of sin and guilt. There is nothing more important nor more urgent than sharing the gospel! Let’s not forget that!
