Ponderize- 2 Timothy 4:5- make full proof of thy ministry

2 Timothy 4:5
But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Part of the power of this verse comes in WHERE Paul put this verse. It is sandwiched between two total opposite outcomes, and this verse contains the key to choosing the correct outcome. The first path is explained in 2 Timothy 4:3-4

3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

The keyword here is ENDURE. Endure what? Sound doctrine. Which means they know of its truthfulness and have experienced the light of that sound doctrine in their lives, and because it conflicts with their lusts, they turn away their ears from the truth. It is a conscious and willing choice to turn away from the light and cleave onto their lusts, which leads them unto fables (footnote for fables is apostasy).

We obviously do not want to pick the first very slippery path which leads away from Christ and hits rock bottom in apostasy. So, that brings us to verse 5, and I love this verse. Let the power of this verse flow through you in a manner that compels you to take immediate action in your life.

5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

Four components are mentioned here.

1. Watch thou in all things. As seen in verses 3-4, we must watch that we are not choosing our lusts, but rather we are choosing righteousness and enduring the sound doctrine of Christ.
2. Endure afflictions. The path of discipleship is not an easy path. We must suffer afflictions of all types and kinds and we must endure them well. Look no further than Paul’s life to understand what he means by afflictions.
3. Do the work of an evangelist. Remember that this epistle was given to Timothy, who was an evangelist.

Bible Dictionary defines an evangelist as follows:
In popular usage throughout Christendom, an evangelist is one who proclaims the gospel. The idea of traveling to preach is also associated with current usage. In the popular sense, the writers of the four Gospel records are called evangelists, as also are Philip (Acts 21:8) and Timothy (2 Tim. 4:5). Paul lists the office of evangelist in the organizational structure of the Church (Eph. 4:11).

However, in latter-day revelation an evangelist is defined as a patriarch (D&C 107:39–53). Joseph Smith taught that “an Evangelist is a Patriarch, even the oldest man of the blood of Joseph or of the seed of Abraham. Wherever the Church of Christ is established in the earth, there should be a Patriarch for the benefit of the posterity of the Saints” (HC 3:381).

We don’t have to be called an evangelist to do the work of one. Let us be powerful disciples of Christ in word and in deed.

1. Make full proof of thy ministry. If doing the works of an evangelist isn’t good enough, he says to make full proof of your ministry. The footnote says, “fulfill your ministry.” With my kids, I used the analogy of something being bullet proof, where their ministry or testimony of Christ is untouchable from all evil influences and they magnify it perfectly before God. As we advance through or fulfill these 4 steps, we will be ready with Paul to enjoy the second outcome I mentioned earlier, and that is exaltation and eternal life.

6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Look at the wording that he uses, laid up for me and shall give me. These are not words of someone that is hoping to receive something, no, these are words of someone that knows for sure with a perfect knowledge. This perfect knowledge can only come as one’s calling and election is made sure through the personal appearance of Jesus Christ, who is the second Comforter.

Next he said, “and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” Notice this time, the present progressive tense in the wording, this is not a future appearance that will happen in the next life, but rather the Savior has and is actively showing himself to others on a continual basis according to their faith and His will. This statement by Joseph Smith is very instructive.

“Now, what is this other Comforter? It is no more or less than the LORD JESUS CHRIST himself; and this is the sum and substance of the whole matter; that when any man obtains this last Comforter, he will have the personage of Jesus Christ to attend him, or appear unto him from time to time, and even he will manifest the Father unto him, and they will take up their abode with him, and the visions of the heavens will be opened unto him, and the Lord will teach him face to face, and he may have a perfect knowledge of the mysteries of the kingdom of God.” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, p.150-1)

All those who obtain this last Comforter, will have the personage of Jesus Christ to attend them, or appear unto them from time to time, and even he will manifest the Father unto them, and they will take up their abode with them. These are those who love His appearing.

I don’t know about you, but this makes me so happy and determined to follow the 4 steps Paul outlined for us, which culminates in making full proof our ministry. Then, we too can have our callings and elections made sure and love the appearing of Christ and the Father from time to time and they will take up their abode with us.

Craig