The church is charged with preaching the Gospel. “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine” (II Tim. 4:2). As Christians each of us should do what we can to reach the lost around us. If we do not teach them no one will! But from Eden till this present time, men have tried to rationalize themselves out of responsibilities by making excuses. Instead of doing right, we make excuses. It is observable that excuses are always used by the weak. Excuses tend to blame external circumstances instead of their true inner motives.
Personal excuses for not attempting to reach the lost include, “I am afraid I will say the wrong thing”, “I don’t have a proper knowledge”, “I am afraid they will ask a question that I can’t answer”, or “I am afraid I will be made fun of.” Excuses we sometimes hear from congregations include, “We are afraid of what the economy is going to do”, “we are afraid that we can’t afford it”, “we are afraid we will be wasting our money”, and on and on. The common thread in these excuses is fear. It runs throughout each of these excuses. Isn’t that the same thing that motivated the “one-talent man” to hide his talent rather than use it? “I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine” (Matt. 25:25). It is also instructive when we understand that “the fearful” lead the list of those who “shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8).
Paul stated, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13). He also wrote, “Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion. And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen” (II Tim. 4:17-18). If we can develop this attitude we can cast out fear. Remember also that Paul challenges us by reminding us, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (II Tim. 1:7).
The Holy Scriptures teach us how to handle fear. “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love” (I John 4:18). “And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matt. 10:28). Instead of being afraid to launch out and teach others, let each of us “Study to shew thyself approved unto God” (II Tim. 2:15). Then let us do our best to “be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (II Tim. 2:1-2).
-Paul M. Wilmoth January 18, 1944 – April 5, 2021
