The End
As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. (2Tim. 4:6-7 NLT)
Hello Saints,
Living for Jesus is a battle. Upon being called and chosen and surrendering our life to the Lord to do His will, preach His message, and live to the glory of His name, there is opposition. It is a choice to lay down our desires and fulfill the desires of our Master. Maybe this is not the call you have experienced, but to anyone who has been called to full-time ministry (which is really the call of every believer), you can feel like a fish swimming against the current trying to get to the spawning ground. The opposition not only comes from outside the church, but sadly, from inside the church, and even more so from inside your own mind and heart. If you are familiar with the apostle Paul’s life and ministry, then you know it was not easy. For over 30 years he labored in the vineyard bringing in the harvest for the Owner, faithfully preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom until his dying breath, suffering greatly along the way. In his last letter before he was killed by Nero, who was cruel and merciless in his persecution of the followers of Jesus, Paul writes to his successor Timothy encouraging him to persevere in the mission, no matter the level of hostility. He warns Timothy that great difficulty will be encountered as time goes on (2Tim. 3), but to remain faithful to the preaching of God’s word no matter what (2Tim 4:1-5). For Paul though, he has reached the end of his journey. He was now in jail, in Rome, and would shortly be martyred for His faith in Christ. In verse 6, he is poured out on the altar, ready to be burned up as a sacrifice, meaning he is ready to leave this world. What follows is his final reflection before the end of his life. It is a very telling revelation of what was going on in his mind.
I have had the privilege of spending time with many who have surrendered their life to the service of the Master, listening to the summation of their ministry as they prepare to leave full-time ministry or leave this world for the next. Often, you have to read between the lines, as they speak and their countenance changes. Regrets…sure. Joys…indeed! Victories…yes! And…defeats. But through it all, God’s faithfulness resounds loudly. Was it easy? No way! Like Paul, it was a race, a grueling marathon, with lots of ups and downs, but with eyes on the finish line and the Master, keeping the faith (4:7), knowing that at the end of the journey, there is a great prize. Maybe the prize is a crown of righteousness, but ultimately for any true follower of Jesus, dedicated to His service, the prize is Jesus – seeing Him face to face (4:8). That really is the only motivation to keep going!
As Paul continues, he reflects on the people – the good, the bad and the ugly. First, are those who once served alongside you. Maybe you led them to the Lord, baptized them, and they were once passionate followers of Jesus with you, but they defected…left the faith, and returned to indulge in the things of the world, like Demas (4:10). Then there are the ones who have gone on to other ministries. You discipled them and equipped them for service in the kingdom, and they are now serving in other parts of the world or left in search of making a bigger name for themselves (4:10-12). Then there are those who have done you great harm, caused you much pain and sorrow, and you’ve just had to hand them over to the Lord (4:14). Often you find yourself all alone, especially when you face the “roaring lion” head on. During Paul’s first trial in Rome, he was alone to defend himself. Probably for fear or persecution or death, they abandoned him (4:16). It’s in those lonely moments where you discover that Jesus never forsakes you. Not only will He stand with you, but He will give you the strength and ability to face the trial, fulfill the mission, and have victory over the lion (4:17). It’s in those moments when you realize that it really is all about our Deliverer, even Jesus, and seeing the glory of the heavenly kingdom, where we will reside forever in His presence (4:18). Through it all, the whole grueling race called ‘serving Jesus’, you realize that there are a whole bunch of people who have remained faithful, running with you, cheering on the sidelines, ready to greet you at the end. The Marks who once caused problems, but are now serving faithfully; the Lukes who have voyaged with you, and been by your side the whole time, comforting you in your most difficult moments; the faithful Priscillas and Aquilas, those couples and individuals who continue to lead house churches and disciple the saints as they were trained and instructed; and the Timothys who will take over the ministry when you are gone. As you approach the finish line, the end of your race, it becomes apparent that for you it ends, but what you are running is actually a relay race, where the baton is passed to the next one whose task it is to run, and the story continues. At the end, may it be said, “From Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever! Amen” (Rom. 11:36; 2Tim. 2:11-13).
"Advancing the Kingdom of God by releasing Spirit-filled followers to serve Jesus in freedom and joy."
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