2 Timothy 4:1-8 (3)

How can we live faithfully as Christians?  It will help if we do not fear the grave but rather anticipate the life to come.  You can see this in Paul in 4:6-8, and I see it as a key to his confidence as he faced the waning days of his life.  The command to fulfill your ministry was something Paul focused on.  Let us review the ministry of Paul.

·        Acts 9:15-16:  When Paul became a believer the Lord Jesus gave him his marching orders if you will.  His ministry was to involve preaching the gospel before Gentiles and their kings as well as Jews.  He was told that he would suffer in the process but, since his calling was from Christ, he knew the Lord would stand with him even when all others failed him (2 Tim. 4:16-18).

·        Gal. 1:6-10: Paul was quite clear to the Galatian churches that his calling was not from men or through men but from the Lord Jesus Christ and the Father (Gal. 2:5-11).  But there was a time when he submitted his ministry to the leaders in Jerusalem who recognized his Divine calling.

·        Rom. 15:15-22: Paul gave the Romans a mid-life report so to speak.  By this time Paul had preached the gospel in many places.  But he had not yet come to Rome and Paul was convinced that this was in God’s plan for him.  There were many hindrances along the way (including one last one in Alexander the coppersmith, 2 Tim. 4:14).  But that did not stop Paul.  What you see in this report is that Paul made plans.  They were not always fulfilled in the way he originally thought, but then he simply redirected so as to be serving his Lord.

·        2 Cor. 3:4-6: Certainly a key to Paul’s ministry fulfillment was his walk with the Lord Jesus.  Who we are in Christ is essential to what we do.  So Paul never strayed from the priority of abiding in Christ.  His competence (ability) came from God, not from his fleshly strength or education or anything else.

·        Acts 20:22-24: One of the most interesting hindrances Paul faced was that which came from good brothers in Christ who warned him about the coming persecution if he continued his last journey back to Jerusalem.  Paul says, the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.  Paul’s response to this is fundamental for us, servants of Christ, who desire to fulfill our ministry.  But none of these things move me, nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I have received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.  Paul went to Jerusalem and suffered afflictions.  Later he appeared before Nero, as the closing chapter of 2 Timothy tells us.  And what did he find but that his Lord and Master stood with him.

We love the words of 2 Tim. 4:7: I have fought the good fight … finished the race … kept the faith.  He said these words because he had been very intentional throughout his life to live in such a way as to please his Master.  How I pray this for each of us, especially for me, from this day on to the end of our lives.