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come? Are th ere many now who are running afte r all sort3 of teachers to f,nd something new? Have we teachers who are giving fo rth something sta rt ling; something sensational; something sentim ental; something Satanic; some thing soft and easy? Are men tu rn ing from th e tru th , and following fads and fables? If .so, should we not “watch In all th ing s” and be ready to suffer, if need be, in order th a t we may make full proof of our m inistry? Is it not likely th a t we shall suffer if we are faith fu l to th e faith once for all delivered unto the saints? (Jude 3). If Timothy needed th is exhortation, how much more is it needed in these last days, and how tru e should every teacher be to th e testimony concerning Jesus our Lord who H imself wept His way from earth to Heaven and who said, “The servant is not g reater th an his Lord” (Jno. 13:16.) (2) The Shout of Victory, vs. 6-8 “ I have fought a good fight.” P aul says he has come to th e end and is ready to be offered. This verse m ight be more approxim ately rendered, “ I am being offered.” His life had been a continual sacrifice and himself a m inistering p riest (Rom. 1 5 :1 6 ). The yielding of his life in sacrifice would be th e completion of th e sacrifice. The libation concluded th e sacrifice in the old ceremonial, and P aul no doubt has th is in mind. His life had been one of continual conflict, his service one of ceaseless sacrifice. He had reached the end and looked for his release from prison, and re st in the “palace of th e K ing.” He calls it a “ d ep artu re.” The figure is th a t of a boat shipping her anchor and gliding out to sea. (Phil. 1 :23 ; II Pet. 1 :1 4 ). It would be a tim e of real satis faction to Paul. He loved his Lord and longed to be w ith Him, and th a t deep desire was about to be gratified. He had no fear of th e future. He knew Whom l'e had believed (II Tim. 1:12) and he
P roclaim th e Word, w ithou t apology, for it is the word of a King, and th e re fore carries w ith it au tho rity (Eccl. 8: 4). No one ever apologizes for bearing a message from th e king. The messen ger is not responsible for th e message, bu t only for delivering it. P roclaim th e Word w ith boldness, for it is quick and powerful (Heb. 4 :1 2 ); it convicts of sin (Acts 2 :3 7 ); it saves souls (Jam es 1 :2 1 ); it gives life (I Pet. 1 :2 3 ); it develops life (I^ P e t. 2 :2 ); it builds up Christian character (Acta 20 :32 ). P roclaim th e Word w ith assurance, for it will never fail; it must accomplish God’s own purpose. (Isa. 5 5 :1 1 ). It was through th e preaching of the Word th a t Timothy was saved (II Tim. 1 :1 3 ). There is nothing else for the tru e man ol God to proclaim. (Jer. 2 3 :2 8 ). “ I f the prophet hath a dream , let him tell a dream ; and he th at hath m y word, let him sp eak m y w ord fa ith fu lly . W h at is the chalf to the w h eat, saith the Lord.“ Men who fee* called to air th e ir own opinions, or give th e ir guesses, may tell th e ir “ pipe dream s,” bu t God’s proph ets are wedded to His Word, and m ust tell out the story th a t never grows old. P roclaim th e W ord constantly. In or out of season, tak e advantage of every opportunity to sow th e seed. (Eccl. 1 1 :6 ). Mingle th e message w ith your daily activities. Reprove—-convince of erro r; correct th e wayward. R ebuke—warning them of th e judgm ent of God which must fall upon those who sin. E xhort— com fort, strengthen, counsel. Exhortation, in th e Spirit, is a tonic, encouraging all to do th e ir best. W ith all longsuffering and doctrine. We are to do all these things in love w ithout impatience, and season all w ith prayer. P au l’s earnest en treaty is based upon the belief th a t th e tim e would come when the old oiacles would be discard ed; when men, led by th e ir lusts, would seek the devil’s doctrines to scratch th e ir itching ears. Has th a t tim e
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