Even when Paul was in custody, he still remembered to preach the gospel. He was in Rome for only three days when he gathered the local Jewish leaders and preached God's word to them, and he also lived according to the word. 2 Timothy 4:2 says that "Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage - with great patience and careful instruction." If we were Paul, perhaps we'd be exhausted by the time we reached Rome and we'd be filled with complaints. We probably won't be able to gather all the Jewish leaders to share with them about God's grace and our own testimonies like Paul did.
We need to learn that, no matter it's in or out of season, we must preach the gospel, because our lives should be testimonies for the Lord. Preaching the gospel is not always done through our mouths, but more important it's done by action. Can others see enviable testimonies in our lives? Some said that there are actually five books of gospel - Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and you! People around you are watching you; whether you are prepared or not, or whether you want to or don't, God has already put you in a position to preach to gospel.
Preaching the gospel shouldn't just happen when things are going well; when the churches in China were under great persecution, gospel was widely spread out. In the time of early church, many Christians were locked up in prison; some of them shared their food with others even though they didn't have enough to eat, and such testimony touched others and prompted them to accept the Lord. Also, when we preach the gospel, we need to stay focused and also persevere. Sometimes nothing happens after one, two, three or even ten years, but we must continue to pray faithfully until the Holy Spirit moves on them. May the Lord help us to remember that no matter what the circumstance is, no matter whether it's in or out of season, we must testify for the Lord!
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