What to Say? – By Pastor/Elder Zack Fugate

  Posted on April 30, 2023  by   No comments

“I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.”-2 Timothy 4:1-2

Throughout my career as a professional educator and administrator, I have experienced the joy of working with many students and families. It is common to find myself in a position, similar to any leadership position in any career, that people are coming to me to ask for advice, talk through decisions, share successes, and process difficulties. In fact, many times over the years, people have said a common sentence to me in this regard, that saying is, “Man, I would never want to be in your shoes. I couldn’t do it.” Here is the thing…I can’t do it. If at any given moment we have convinced ourselves that we have the right words, the right thoughts, and the right heart according to our own righteousness, therein lies the problem. We find ourselves in a position of folly, and the result of that line of thinking and belief leads to pain, failure, loss, and most commonly…confusion. At all times, and in all that we do as followers of Christ, we must turn to and preach the word. Anything less will result in foolishness and misguided advice. Consider the following:

“For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”- 2 Timothy 4:3-4

When one faces the truth of God’s word here, there is no other conclusion or result of leaning on our own understanding or worldly advice…both result in leading people astray and sending them on a path to false teaching and doctrine. We must be careful with our words and realize that we are instructed to teach and preach the word of God. In order to do this, we must be in the word. If God’s word isn’t shaping our hearts and minds, readily available on our tongues, the following instructions become moot:

“As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.”-2 Timothy 4:5

Brothers and sisters in Christ, let us be careful to lean on God’s word as we love and care for those around us. For it is not our works that will result in salvation, but God’s work in us through Christ our savior. Cling to scriptures and know that God’s word is the only truth the world needs to hear.

         -your brother in Christ, zack fugate