A Triumphant Journey and a Winner's Crown - Part IV

II Timothy 4:6-8

We have previously seen (See Archives) how Paul reflects on his life and how he has fought the good fight and had successfully completed the race. Now he recounts how, regardless of his situation, he kept the faith.

For Paul to have said, “I have kept the faith,” (II Timothy 4:7) was to imply, “I have been faithful to His Word, I have abided by the conditions of the contract.” He never let his Master down. He never lost his hope in Christ.” Through imprisonment, beatings, perils by land and sea, and now, in the face of death, he never lost his trust in Christ. (See II Corinthians 11:16ff) At no time did Paul declare that his salvation was based on his merits, his personal righteousness. He understood it was by God’s grace he was saved. He also knew that because of God’s grace, he was to be faithful to the point of death. (See Revelation 2:10)

How many begin the fight only to lose heart and quit when the battle becomes difficult? How many start the race only to fall by the wayside when the course becomes hard or when they become weighed down by the things of this world? How many abandon the faith and turn their ears to teachers who satisfy their personal agenda? (See II Timothy 4:3, 4)

For those who fight the fight to the end, who run the race to the finish line, who keep the faith, Paul says, “Now there is store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award me on that day – not only to me, but also to all those who have longed for His appearing.” (II Timothy 4:8)

The reward is not an earthy crown that soon loses its glitter. It is not human recognition which is shortly forgotten. It is a crown awarded to all those whose lives are lived for Christ. It is a crown that signifies a victory whose thrill is never forgotten. It is a crown that will last for all eternity.

As each of us looks back over this past year, we should ask, “What was my relationship to Christ? Did I fight as I should have? Did I run with perseverance? Did I contend for the faith?” Without doubt, all of us could have done better. Let us resolve that this year we will grow in our relationship to Christ and with hope and joy look forward to the crown of life that awaits us in Him.