Evey year, we’re encouraged by medical professionals to vaccinate ourselves against one virus or another. The vaccines for the most part are to cause our immune system to produce antibodies in preparation to fight against the virus should we ever be exposed to it in one form or another.
We haven’t stopped preaching Christ Jesus and Him Crucified simply because there are many out there who still need to hear the gospel and to thus have divine anti-bodies produced in their spirit so that we can stand against the wiles of the devil.
As Paul had encouraged the believers at Ephesus,
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” (Ephesians 6:10-18)
When you have the truth, the righteousness, the boldness and readiness of the gospel of peace, the faith that is our victory, the perfect salvation, the word of God who is Christ Jesus, you are more than ready to withstand and overcome any tricks the devil will throw at you. We are armored by God. Who then can be against us?
The preaching and hearing of the gospel is as essential as being vaccinated for the flu year after year. Except, this virus called the devil knows no season. So, we too know no season. We preach, and teach by grace in and out of season because people must eat with joy and live with peace, the peace that comes through the gospel of grace.
By grace, be a preacher without frontier. Preach in words and deeds. Redeem the time for the days are evil.
Redeem the time for the salvation of mankind, for many need to be brought to life in Christ to the glory of God. Blessed is his name, Jesus, Amen.
Jesus is the well of the living water, the Holy Spirit. 