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2 Timothy 4:6–8
It is believed that the Apostle Paul wrote this second letter to Timothy from prison in Rome as he awaited his death as a martyr for Christ Jesus. He describes his life as, “6For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:6–7, NKJV). For those of you who are aware of his past life as a persecutor of Christians, his declaration in 2 Timothy 4:8 may sound odd, but should be and is a testimony of faith for all who have opened their hearts to Jesus and turned from the sinful nature to a new life in Christ Jesus. Paul declares, “8Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing (2 Timothy 4:8).
This is an example and declaration for all who have repented from sin and accepted a new life in Christ Jesus.
We “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”, as is declared by the Apostle Paul in Romans 3:23. And no one is a better example than Paul/Saul himself of his old life believing as a Pharisee that he was living properly for God but in obedience to the self-induced righteousness of man which is living for self and not for God. We do not have the right to change or reinterpret God’s will or word for our lives as we see fit, it is God’s will for us and we have to live by God’s will in obedience to Him as Christians. It is tough, yes, but God rewards those who faithfully seek His will for their lives. We cannot cut the corners of God’s will for our lives. This is something that the Apostle Paul realized on the road to Damascus and for the following three days he spent in blindness while receiving (I believe) the instructions for God’s will for the ministry to the Gentiles. This was so absurd that it could only have been willed by God. Paul was now to preach to those he had considered not worthy of God’s grace. It was an immediate change in his life from traveling one direction and then in the opposite. This is reflective of being saved by God’s grace through Christ Jesus. Paul continues in Romans 6:23 to confirm the results for everyone’s sins as he declares, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Paul realized this and he then lived it for the rest of his life. I believe it was his desire that we all realize and live it too – In Christ.
Dear LORD,
To obtain Your mercy we must first realize that we have sinned and fall short of Your glory. We must then understand that You sent Your One and only Son Jesus to pay the price for our sins as we are incapable of paying the price for sin that requires sinlessness as its payment. We must then open our hearts to receive the gift of life as Jesus died for us with His arms open wide to receive all who will come to Him for salvation from sin. He is the way, the truth, and the life to eternal forgiveness and life in Your glory (John 14:6). In Jesus name I pray, amen.