This passage is key for us as believers because I Believe this "command" that Paul is giving to a follower to preach the word is for all of us. Some people have the talents needed for evangelism and those of us who don't need to live a life that is worthy of the calling that God has called us as Paul says in his letter to Timothy.I'm sure everyone has heard the phrase "actions speak louder than words." This rings so true for Christians because people are watching us for something different. Anyone can say one thing and do another, it takes dedication and perseverance for us to live what we proclaim. It's hard for me to have joy every single day, when this happens I think of where God has brought me from. While sitting in the sand of Iraq I never dreamed I would be ministering to inner city youth in a program I'm assisting with.

Verse two is the crux here we are to do this when It's popular and when it will cost us something. When something is not so popular and people are going to dislike what your doing we still are called to do it in the name of Jesus. Paul then goes on to say that we are to do this in love and with MUCH patience. I can not tell you how many times I have thanked God for His patience with me. I live Romans 7 so many days of the year. I do what I hate and don't do what I proclaim to love. This makes me the biggest hypocrit of all. We need to daily immerse ourselves in the writings of God so we can move through the day without making these wrong decisions. The only way for this to happen is for us to allow the Holy Spirit take over and guide our lives. This requires listening, something I'm not very good at. That still small voice that speaks to you right before you argue with someone, look at something you shouldn't, any situation that we can choose God or myself.

2 Timothy 4:1-4