The Word In Season, and Out of Season:
Telling the Story of Jesus!
December is the month of celebration for belivers in Christ— celebrating the advent of God-with-us. When the Light broke through the darkness with the Good news of Peace and Great Joy to the world (Luke 2: 1–14).
“Behold a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel which being interpreted is, God with us.” (Isaiah 7:14).
The story of the birth of Jesus reverberates across the globe every December. Usually told in Carols, Musical Concerts, and exchange of gifts, it speaks to the freedom of believers in Christ from the shacles of sin and spiritual darkness. The message of Christmas is the message of what Christ represents in the life of the believer — Emmanuel. “Christ in us, the hope of glory.” (Col. 1:27). That is the Gospel.
Jesus is the Word — that was with God in the beginning, and that was God.
“All things were made through Him and without Him nothing was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it” (John 1:1–5).
We (my wife and I), spent this December at two locations across the oceans that reflect different perspectives of Christmas celebration — one in Africa, one in the West. Not only did they highlight cultural, and demographic preferences, they also reflect context — the level of welfare in the societies. One is left with the impression that Christians in poor countries crave material blessings, while Christians in affluent societies care more about spiritual growth and personal relationships with God.
We spent a couple Sundays in Africa worshipping among relatively young congregants who made self-interest and personal success in the passing year, the center-piece of their meetings. But our worship with Christians in the west brought us face to face with Christ and why He came down in human flesh. God-with-us means God in us, doing His work of redeeming humankind through us.
To portray God as no more than the great provider — out there meeting our cravings for provisions, power, and protection — falls far short of God’s plan of restoring humanity to eternal relationship with Him. Christianity is not defined by welfare or material possessions. Christianity is about personal relationship with God and His Christ. All other things are additions.
Paul’s charge to Timothy and us is “Preach the Word” — the Gospel.
“I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season… For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
To preach the word in season and out of season is a command — preach the truth of the word at all times — when people are listening and when they are not.
Apparently, the time is here when people are not willing to embrace the truth of the word, but are sold out to teachers feeding them with fables — preaching what people want to hear.
For us, the word must be preached all the time — undiluted.
Come with us, if you will in the coming year, as we embark on the series: “Getting Back to the Basics” of biblical Christianity.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday!
