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A Triumphant Journey and a Winner's Crown - Part II
II Timothy 4:6-8 In our previous Studies (See Archives) we saw how the Apostle Paul revealed the nearness of his death. At that time he looked back over his life and looked forward to his glorious future. As we enter into a new year, it is a time when we can look back to the previous year and look forward to what God has in store for us. As Paul reflected on his life, he did not take pride in his worldly accomplishments but counted all things as loss when compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus as his Lord. (See Philippians 3:1-11.) His life took on a completely new perspective and practice when he became a Christian. His hope was now in his Savior. He could, at the time of his departure, say with certainty, “I have fought the good fight.” (II Timothy 4:7) All of us are in a war. To deny the existence of that war does not alter the reality of that war. It is a war fought for the souls of mankind. It is a battle fought for our hearts, for our very lives. Jesus makes our victory possible by His victory over sin and death. He has also given us the equipment necessary to live victorious lives. (See Ephesians 6:10-18.) And we have a real enemy in this war. Pretending that he doesn’t exist serves his purposes. Mocking him as an inept bungler as in a Devil and Daniel Webster story is to underestimate both his intent and his ability. Peter says that our enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. (See I Peter 5:8) He is an enemy who has no honor and who will resort to any means possible to defeat us. So how do I fight against such a vicious adversary? Remember, we do not fight alone. As the little boy said to the oversized bully, “I can’t whop you but my dad can.” We can be thankful that greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world. (See I John 4:4) “But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (I Corinthians 15:57)
Know the truth. Share the truth in love. And do not compromise the truth to satisfy personal desires or to placate the itching ears of others. (See II Timothy 4:1-4) I believe that our country is facing some of the most perilous times in its history. The “church at large” has fallen short in its obligation to serve our God without compromise. It is time for Christians to take up the banner of truth; to stand up and stand firm in His service. If we live to see the beginning of 2010 and the Lord tarries, may we be able to look back over 2009 and say, “I have fought the good fight.”
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