Articles
Giving a Reason in Every Season
No matter what events we engage in during this time of year, most of us who follow Christ understand that a time in which people are discussing Christ’s birth is an opportunity to speak the truth concerning His majesty, rule, and salvation. People who, under normal circumstances, would be averse to speaking readily about spiritual things may even feel a responsibility to talk about eternal realities, and we hope to be there to answer questions and guide them to the truth.
However, as with many annual celebrations, we can sometimes relegate our perennial duties to one time in the year and not be as diligent as we should all the time. While it is true that this season gives us an opportunity to talk about Jesus and what He has done for us in our lives, we should be just as ready all the time.
When Paul told Timothy when to be ready to share the truth with the church in Ephesus, and also likely meant all the populace of that city, he told him to “be ready in season [and] out of season.” (II Timothy 4:2) This does not mean that there is a season when the gospel is more readily accepted, but Paul meant to be ready to give others the chance to come to Jesus when it was convenient and popular, and also when it wasn’t. Certainly, there are times when people are thinking about spiritual things, and when comments about our faith can be readily accepted, and times when they will be less so. We need to be ready to speak in both instances.
While Timothy was an evangelist for a congregation, Peter also spoke to saints who were scattered all over the region of Asia Minor and gave them a similar encouragement. When the disciples in those places followed Jesus’ example of humility and submission in all walks of like they would have an opportunity to tell others why they acted the way they did. When they suffered slander and persecution without reprisal or rebellion they were to do so “always [being] ready to make a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence.” (I Peter 3:15) At a time when it is popular to argue about how to greet one another, and the color of coffee cups, we are to be gentle, and ready to tell the truth.
Sometimes, understanding our surroundings can also mean knowing when it is not our place to speak to an issue. There are times when it can be a temptation to get involved in a struggle that is not own own. The church at Thessalonica had a problem with people not focusing on their own responsibilities, but becoming “busybodies.” Paul warned the brethren there to “make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.” (I Thessalonians 4:11-12) It can sometimes be so much more interesting to meddle in what is going on around us as opposed to working on the responsibility in front of us. However, we have a responsibility to realize what is truly important, and to build up a reputation with others as responsible and dignified.
