21 Do your best to come before winter. – 2 Timothy 4:21a
Bad Weather
Paul is in prison. He is cold. He is lonely. Death is imminent. He has instructed and admonished his spiritual son Timothy. He has given him warnings and encouraged him to faithfully preach the Word. Now he ends his letter with personal instructions. He has been deserted by many and wants Timothy to come to him soon (v. 9). He wants Timothy to bring his cloak, books, and parchments. And Mark also. But bad weather is coming. He, therefore, encourages Timothy to come before winter. Time is of the essence. If he procrastinates it may be too late. The window of opportunity is quickly closing. Now is the time to act. Come before winter. There will be no sailing when winter sets in.
Paul knew his time on earth was short. Before his departure, he wanted to make certain arrangements. He was cognizant of his needs and wanted to make sure they were met. Now was no time for self-deception. Winter is coming, there is a chill in the air, please bring my cloak. I need to keep my mind sharp and focused, please bring my books. I still have more to write, please bring my parchments. Death is quickly approaching, please come and bring Mark as well. Faithful Luke is with me, but I need all the moral support I can get. Christ awaits me on the other shore, but no man wants to walk to the water’s edge alone. Not even Paul. Hurry Timothy, before the last ship sails.
Good Friends
We read Paul’s letters and we are introduced to numerous people who were a part of his ministry. Despite his great talents and gifts, Paul was no Lone Ranger. John Mark, Titus, Stephanas, Timothy, Fortunatus, Silas, Epaphroditus, Luke, Barnabas, and Epaphras all played a role in Paul’s life and ministry. Unfortunately, others like Demas abandoned Paul and the faith. Certainly, there were others not recorded but you get the point. We were never intended to live the Christian faith in isolation. We need each other, especially when winter is coming.
One of the most plagiarized sermons is one entitled, Come Before Winter, given by the late Clarence Macartney. The sermon was so powerful that it is estimated Pastor Macartney delivered it over sixty times always with incredible results. Men and women alike would be moved to tears by this powerful sermon. I highly recommend that you look it up for yourself and read it. The message is certainly timeless. Pastor Macartney colorfully expounds on Paul’s admonition; there is no time like now to act, don’t procrastinate and live with unnecessary regrets. Even worse, don’t procrastinate and die with unnecessary regrets.
Winter Is Coming
How are your relationships? Is there someone you need to forgive? Is there someone you need to ask forgiveness? Ice is forming on the water. It could be soon that the last ship sails. Don’t wait until it is too late. Don’t live with regrets. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus encouraged his listeners to put a higher priority on reconciliation than leaving an offering. What good is a gift on the altar if there are anger and strife in the heart? Paul was in bondage against his will, but how many of us live in an unnecessary bondage caused by strained relationships? In our pride and stubbornness, we harbor dangerous emotions. Jesus’ advice was the same as Paul’s admonition, don’t delay. Drop your gift and run. Be reconciled as quickly as possible. There is nothing to be gained by putting it off. Reconciliation may be extremely humbling. It can be awkward. But the reward will far exceed the cost. No time like the present to bury the hatchet and avoid any unnecessary regrets. Paul knew this from experience. During his ministry he had a falling out with Mark. Now, before winter, he wants to see his brother in the Lord one more time.
Speaking of relationships, how is your first love? Is the joy there? Is the peace there? If not why? Are there sins to confess and turn from? In 1 John chapter one, John makes a distinction between walking in the light and walking in darkness. According to John, if we claim we do not sin, we are deceiving ourselves. Like Paul in Romans chapter seven, life is often a frustrating struggle as we know what is right yet too often do what is wrong. Rather than living in deception and denial, John encourages us to constantly confess our sins. Unconfessed sins hinder our fellowship with our First Love. John goes on to tell us in the fourth chapter of his first Epistle, that we can only love God because He first loved us. May Demas be a sobering reminder to us. The pull of the world is strong. Don’t grieve the heart of God. Surrender the secret sins of your heart. Like the prodigal son learned, your loving Father awaits you with open arms. Now is the time to come to your senses and leave the swine behind. Don’t deprive yourself or your Creator the fellowship you were created for. Come before winter.
Don’t Delay
Maybe you have never placed your faith in Christ. Perhaps you think Christianity is a fraud; just a crutch for the simple-minded. I would challenge you to weigh the claims of Christianity against whatever you hold as the ultimate authority in your life. Pick up a Bible and read the Gospel of John for an account of the life and death of Christ. Read the book of Romans and see how Paul systematically unfolds God’s plan of redemption. Read the Book of Genesis and see the account of creation and how sin entered the world. Sin that blinds and enslaves every man. How do you explain the evil around you? How do you explain the evil in your heart? Sin is a disease that every person carries. Apart from God, what hope do you have to combat it? May God incline your heart and mind to His Truth as you read it. Psalm 95 says if you hear God do not harden your heart. Paul tells us now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation. Don’t delay. No one escapes death. Christ laid down His life so you could have life eternal with Him in heaven. He now awaits on the other side of deaths river waiting for those who have put their faith in Him. Death is imminent. Be cognizant of your need. Now is no time for self-deception. Now is the day of salvation. Don’t die with an eternal regret. Come before winter.
“Before winter or never! There are some things which will never be done unless they are done “before winter.” The winter will come and the winter will pass, and the flowers of the springtime will deck the breast of the earth, and the graves of some of our opportunities, perhaps the grave of our dearest friend. There are golden gates wide open on this autumn day, but next October they will be forever shut. There are tides of opportunity running now at the flood. Next October they will be at the ebb. There are voices speaking today which a year from today will be silent. Before winter or never!” – Clarence Macartney