2 Timothy 4:6-8
The final words of the Apostle Paul that the Holy Spirit had him to put down on paper are recorded in 2 Timothy. This last chapter shows us the heart of the great giver of the New Covenant message; his readiness to go home after having finished his Christian walk.
According to the tone of the sixth verse, it appears that Paul could leave this life when he was “ready”. Earlier in his ministry he had stated that he was torn as to whether to stay here or go on to heaven, “For I am in a strait between two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you” (Philippians 1:23, 24). I believe that saints who understand who they are in Christ, and assert their righteousness in Him should expect to see long life and length of days (Proverbs 3:2). When you have lived a full life, ask your Daddy to take you home, “which is far better”.
Paul is reluctant to leave until he has finished his course, showing us yet another instance in the Bible where God’s labor does not cease until it is finished. God finished creation and then He rested on the seventh day. Jesus finished paying for man’s sins at the cross, and then He gave up the ghost. Paul finishes the masterpiece of New Testament writing on the Covenant of Grace and Goodness, and he is ready to go home.
Too often we quit before we are finished, which leads to frustration and discouragement. We have not begun the Christian walk of grace and favor to merely lie down and be content with the knowledge gained. Those who are feeding on His grace and goodness find that they are never again satisfied to merely “be”. They must constantly be growing and expanding; increasing in their knowledge of how wonderful that their Savior truly is.
Are you a chronic quitter? Do you start projects and leave them half-finished? Has it been quite some time since you brought an idea to fruition and saw it through until the very end? There is no satisfaction like finishing what you start; taking it from idea to project to completion. If you find that you have difficulty with this, lean on His grace to supply you in this area that you obviously cannot supply yourself. He is a finisher and you are in Him, thus, you are a finisher too!
When Paul finished the course, he was to receive a crown of righteousness, which is also promised to all of us (2 Timothy 4:9). We are righteous now because of the finished work of Jesus, but we will be crowned with righteousness in glory having been stripped of this mortality. The mortal man is the remaining remnant of the fall and it keeps us from seeing perfect righteousness in every area. Without this “mortal coil”, we will have the perfection of His pure righteousness in body, soul and spirit. Though our lives are great on this earth, what beautiful glory awaits.
The final words of the Apostle Paul that the Holy Spirit had him to put down on paper are recorded in 2 Timothy. This last chapter shows us the heart of the great giver of the New Covenant message; his readiness to go home after having finished his Christian walk.
According to the tone of the sixth verse, it appears that Paul could leave this life when he was “ready”. Earlier in his ministry he had stated that he was torn as to whether to stay here or go on to heaven, “For I am in a strait between two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: nevertheless to abide in the flesh is more needful for you” (Philippians 1:23, 24). I believe that saints who understand who they are in Christ, and assert their righteousness in Him should expect to see long life and length of days (Proverbs 3:2). When you have lived a full life, ask your Daddy to take you home, “which is far better”.
Paul is reluctant to leave until he has finished his course, showing us yet another instance in the Bible where God’s labor does not cease until it is finished. God finished creation and then He rested on the seventh day. Jesus finished paying for man’s sins at the cross, and then He gave up the ghost. Paul finishes the masterpiece of New Testament writing on the Covenant of Grace and Goodness, and he is ready to go home.
Too often we quit before we are finished, which leads to frustration and discouragement. We have not begun the Christian walk of grace and favor to merely lie down and be content with the knowledge gained. Those who are feeding on His grace and goodness find that they are never again satisfied to merely “be”. They must constantly be growing and expanding; increasing in their knowledge of how wonderful that their Savior truly is.
Are you a chronic quitter? Do you start projects and leave them half-finished? Has it been quite some time since you brought an idea to fruition and saw it through until the very end? There is no satisfaction like finishing what you start; taking it from idea to project to completion. If you find that you have difficulty with this, lean on His grace to supply you in this area that you obviously cannot supply yourself. He is a finisher and you are in Him, thus, you are a finisher too!
When Paul finished the course, he was to receive a crown of righteousness, which is also promised to all of us (2 Timothy 4:9). We are righteous now because of the finished work of Jesus, but we will be crowned with righteousness in glory having been stripped of this mortality. The mortal man is the remaining remnant of the fall and it keeps us from seeing perfect righteousness in every area. Without this “mortal coil”, we will have the perfection of His pure righteousness in body, soul and spirit. Though our lives are great on this earth, what beautiful glory awaits.
