Is There Ever an “OFF-SEASON”?

Related Scripture:

“Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”  II Timothy 4:2

For those of you who only officiate one sport, there is an off-season.  When I first started officiating football, I began my conditioning work in July and I began studying rules and mechanics when I received our books at the first association meeting.  The longer I officiated, the earlier I had to begin conditioning, and I looked for officiating resources to regularly improve my work in the off-season.  Toward the end of my career on the field, I did not really have an off-season.

That applies to our spiritual lives as well as our officiating careers.  The Apostle Paul counseled young Timothy about that with these words.  Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. [II Timothy 4:2]

Paul told Timothy that there is no “off-season” in our spiritual journeys.  The word translated “preach” comes from a Greek word that indicates an “orderly proclamation”. Perhaps we think that preaching is done only behind a pulpit in a church building.  However, proclaiming God’s word is a responsibility of every Christian.  Our proclamations include things that we tell people from God’s word, and the way God’s word is demonstrated in our daily behavior.

Paul went on to tell Timothy (and us) how our proclamations should be carried out.  Using God’s word to help others understand how to get their lives consistent with God’s will is important (correcting and rebuking).  But we should pay attention to what Paul says about how we do that.  We are to encourage other people as we exercise “great patience” with them.  Think about this quote from William Barclay: “Christians patiently believe in others, because they have a resolute belief in the changing power of Christ.” 

Questions to Ponder:

Remember that being a follower of Christ is a 24/7/365 journey.

Think about how patient God has been with you in your spiritual journey.

Remember how the “changing power of Christ” has worked in your life.

Dr. Ralph Swearngin, FCO Advisor