Are You Ready to Be Offered?

2 Timothy 4:6-8

⁶ For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

⁷ I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

⁸ Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Have you ever had someone ask you this question? “If today was your last day on earth, what would you do differently?”  It’s an intriguing question and I would bet that every one of you have heard it at least once, if not multiple times.  I wonder how you answered that and would love to have you put that answer in the comments once you’re done reading today’s post.

Now you may be asking “How would Pete answer that question?” and you would be right to do so.  I think this is a question that should always be on our minds, because we do not know if this will be our last day on earth.  It could be your final minutes right now.  It could be mine.  I often think that if I knew that, I would be running through the streets telling everyone about the saving power of Jesus Christ.  That they need to repent and accept His sacrifice for their sins.  That they need to read their bibles and come to know how to live as brothers and sisters in Christ.  This is what Paul was doing, after all.  And Paul knew His time was at hand.  He knew he was going to die at the hand of the Romans soon.  He knew his ministry would be over.

But would it be?  Would his ministry end at the hand of the Romans?  No, it would not.  Because he had built something that would last way past his lifetime.  He left teachers and pastors, like Timothy and Titus, in place to continue his ministry.  He wrote letters that are still used today to shape doctrine and help us see what Christ did and why.  This is a lasting legacy that still lives today.  I really think Paul knew that his letters would reach way past the churches he was sending them to.  I think he knew that his life was meant to bring glory to God for generations yet to come.   After all, he does say that he fought a good fight, finished his course and ran his race.  The fight he fought was against the false religions of the heathen and the false teaching of those who would pervert the gospel.  The course he ran was through Corinth and Ephesus and Galatian and many more towns.  His race was against the evil of the day which would eventually take his life.

His legacy is called the church, and it is just as alive today as it was in his day.  It may seem like it is waning.  It may seem like the church is turning away from the true teachings of Paul, Peter, John, and the others.  There is a watered down, counterfeit church out there that is succumbing to the ways of the world and giving in to false teachers, running to them with their itching ears.  They have lost sight of the true meaning of Paul’s words and decided to follow mans’ words instead.  They believe that man’s words are just as important as God’s words and slowly but surely, they are led into heresy.  The farther they go down that road, the farther away from God they get.  Soon, the church and the world will look the same.

But the true church is not moving away from God, but moving toward Him.  They are moving forward in spiritual power and authority.  They are storming the gates of hell as prayer warriors and spiritual leaders.  This is where we must keep the faith.  This is where we must fight the good fight.  God needs each and every one of us to take the same attitude Paul takes in verse 6.  We may not know this is our last party, but we should act that way.  We should give everything we’ve got to do what God has asked each one of us to do.  Do you know what God has asked of you?  Is it cleaning the church, or being an usher, or playing the piano, or writing a blog, or so many other things God can use you for?  Whatever it is, do it with all you have because you will only get one shot.  I know there are a lot of things I can work harder at and devote more time to.  I now God has a bigger plan for my life and that I must walk the path to fulfilling those things.  I Know that even at 69 years old, God isn’t even close to being done with me yet!  I have not fought as good a fight as I could have, I have not been as faithful as I am capable of and I have not finished my course.  My plan is to listen for the voice of God and go where He leads me.  What is your plan?

Paul then talks about the crown of righteousness.  He says this is laid up for those who love His appearing.  I have asked myself in the past how this relates to the previous 2 verses, and it just struck me.  If we love His appearing, we will do all we can to prepare others for when that event happens!  We will be sharing the Gospel with all who we meet.  We will sing His praise at every chance we get. We will share our testimony over and over again, telling people about the goodness of our God.  We will defend the Gospel, and our God, against those who do not believe and would try to say God is not good.  Personally, if I want this crown.  I need to work harder, write more, practice more, study more.  I need to simply put myself more deeply into His hands so that He can do His work in me.  It is my decision, after all.

Now I have to ask again: How would you answer that question? What would you do different if you knew this was your last day, or last week on this earth?  I can’t wait to get your comments.  May God give you strength to fight, endurance to run, and glory at the finish line.

 

Advertisement