If anyone wonders why a faithful minister of the gospel so often preaches on practical godliness, and if they wonder why they frequently feel that they are in his line of fire, they need only read the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament. Ministers are commanded to "preach the word", and the word of God is made up of approximately two-thirds preceptive teaching. How could they faithfully comply with our Lord's command and not spend at least some of their time dealing with those scriptures that tell us how we ought to live? 

    The apostle Paul's method, under divine inspiration, was to first lay down fundamental truths as the foundation for the obedience of God's people, and then set forth some of those works that are incumbent upon them as followers of Christ. This is a good example for ministers in all ages to follow. Of course this involves occasional reproof, rebuke and exhortation, but this is to be done "with all longsuffering and doctrine." It is vitally important that the truth be preached "in love" for if not it will be of little profit to the hearers. 

    God's ministering servants are not authorized to preach anything other than "the word," and they have no grounds to expect success in their preaching any further than they comply with that injunction. Paul said, "We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your servants for Jesus sake" (II Cor. 4:5). Much time has been wasted by ministers as a result of their preaching about themselves and setting forth their own opinions and speculations. 

    In order to preach the word a man must know the word, and he cannot know the word unless he studies to show himself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (See II Tim. 2:15). The ministry of a man who properly applies himself and who preaches the word of God instead of the vain notions and ideas of men will not be in vain but will strengthen and edify those who are blessed to sit under the sound of it.