The Daily Fountain Devotional of the Church Of Nigeria (Anglican Communion) 18 October 2023 – Final And Urgent Charge
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TOPIC: Final And Urgent Charge
READ: 2 Timothy4:4-13(NKJV)
- and they will turn [their] ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables.
- But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
- For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.
- I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
- Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
- Be diligent to come to me quickly;
- for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has departed for Thessalonica — Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.
- Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.
- And Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus.
- Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come — and the books, especially the parchments.
THE MESSAGE:
Our text is taken as the final urgent charge of Apostle Paul to Timothy who is very relevant to us today. What was happening in the days of Timothy is happening today. For instance, Christians are turning away from the truth unto fables, not enduring affliction/persecutions, not enduring sound doctrines, not watchful in all things, not fighting or defending the faith, not keeping the faith and not being conscious of the crown of righteousness (2Tim.4:4,5,7&8). We have people like Demas that drew back by loving the world (v.10;Heb. 10:38). There are those wallowing in worldliness: Lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes and the pride of life (1John 2:15-17). Paul knew that the consequence of losing the crown of righteousness is hell, hence this final urgent charge.
Consider these questions: Have you turned your ears away from the truth unto fables? Have you stopped enduring sound doctrines/afflictions? Have you abandoned the faith/fellowship for the love of the world, like Demas? Have you abandoned evangelism? The final urgent charge is for us to depart worldliness, return to the faith and keep standing to the end for the crown of righteousness.
PRAYER: faith of our fathers living still; in spite of dungeon, fire and sword. Oh how our hearts beat high with joy whenever we hear the glorious word.
