2nd Timothy 4: 6-8. For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight. I have finished, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Henceforth is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Paul was winding down his ministry when he wrote this second Epistle to Timothy. He knew that his mortal days were numbered and was trying to instil just a little more encouragement into his young protégé, Timothy. In yesterday’s Bit, Hebrews 12:1-2, Paul encouraged us to be hardy and persevering and run our race without too much complaining. Today, he’s saying that he did just that. He kept the faith, fought the good fight, and of the utmost importance, finished the race. Friends, it’s imperative that we finish our race. It doesn’t matter what position you are, first or last, but you must cross over that finish line. When you look at all these modern day marathons you’ll see that folks are just as happy to see the last person cross the line as they are the first…well that’s perhaps stretching it a bit, but people are always happy to see the runners finish. It just says some thing about them, about their ‘stick-to it-tiveness.’ The same goes for our race of life people. We show our heart, desire, perseverance and loyalty to J.C when we run to the finish. Paul then goes on to witness that a crown of righteousness had been put away for him by the Righteous Judge; The Most High, which he would receive on Judgement Day. He ends by saying that a crown of righteousness was not only in his future, but also for all of us Believers who LOVE J.C and look forward to His coming again in glory. Oh Friends, what a heart-warming promise, what a magnificent occasion to look forward to! Let’s hope, no forget the hope, let’s definitely, positively, assuredly, all work together, in faith, so that at the end of our earthly journey, we’ll be able to say, like Paul, I’ve run a good race, finished as high as I could, and am now awaiting the victor’s crown. Much LOVE…and again, plenty faith…with much needed perseverance to run a demanding but glorious race.
Paul was winding down his ministry when he wrote this second Epistle to Timothy. He knew that his mortal days were numbered and was trying to instil just a little more encouragement into his young protégé, Timothy. In yesterday’s Bit, Hebrews 12:1-2, Paul encouraged us to be hardy and persevering and run our race without too much complaining. Today, he’s saying that he did just that. He kept the faith, fought the good fight, and of the utmost importance, finished the race. Friends, it’s imperative that we finish our race. It doesn’t matter what position you are, first or last, but you must cross over that finish line. When you look at all these modern day marathons you’ll see that folks are just as happy to see the last person cross the line as they are the first…well that’s perhaps stretching it a bit, but people are always happy to see the runners finish. It just says some thing about them, about their ‘stick-to it-tiveness.’ The same goes for our race of life people. We show our heart, desire, perseverance and loyalty to J.C when we run to the finish. Paul then goes on to witness that a crown of righteousness had been put away for him by the Righteous Judge; The Most High, which he would receive on Judgement Day. He ends by saying that a crown of righteousness was not only in his future, but also for all of us Believers who LOVE J.C and look forward to His coming again in glory. Oh Friends, what a heart-warming promise, what a magnificent occasion to look forward to! Let’s hope, no forget the hope, let’s definitely, positively, assuredly, all work together, in faith, so that at the end of our earthly journey, we’ll be able to say, like Paul, I’ve run a good race, finished as high as I could, and am now awaiting the victor’s crown. Much LOVE…and again, plenty faith…with much needed perseverance to run a demanding but glorious race.
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