Day 298

Jeremiah 48:1–49:22; 2 Timothy 4:1-22; Psalm 95:1–96:13; Proverbs 26:9-12

May the Lord be with your spirit. And may his grace be with all of you.

Those are the final written words of the apostle Paul to Timothy —or to anyone. According to tradition, Paul was executed soon after.

In the final paragraphs of this letter, Paul told Timothy to keep a clear mind and always be ready to share the Good News of the gospel, despite opposition. If suffering and persecution came, Timothy was to be unafraid. If people abandoned him in search of whatever their itching ears wanted to hear, Timothy was to continue to tell the truth and care for those whom God had entrusted to him as pastor.

After these final words of counsel and instruction, Paul told Timothy, “My life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful” (2 Timothy 4:6-7).

Those are well-quoted words to be sure, but when we understand the melancholy of Paul’s circumstance, their impact should halt us in respect and reset our expectations as followers of Christ.

Like Jesus, Paul reached the end of his life facing abandonment and injustice. This stark reality is important because we usually gauge our well-being with God based on how blessed we feel. The reality that the New Testament teaches repeatedly, however, is that we must learn to endure whatever might come —and not everything that comes will be enjoyable.

We have indeed been blessed beyond measure because we have been given the gift of eternal life, but blessing isn’t the only reason for our existence. We are here to participate in the rescue of humanity as the hands and feet of Jesus. This was Paul’s message and mission, and his life revealed just how opposed that mission could become —and what it looks like to endure with hope until the end.

The apostle Paul spent his final days in a cold dungeon with winter coming. Nearly everyone had abandoned him. He begged Timothy to come as soon as he could and to bring Paul’s coat, books, and papers when he came. It’s heartbreaking to consider. And then Paul died for his faith in Jesus.

How can we look at this as victory? Is it because the apostle Paul would later be recognized as a saint, or because his writings ended up in the Bible?

For Paul, accolades weren’t his ambition. It had been an honor to serve Jesus. He had “fought the good fight” and held nothing back. He had “finished the race” and accomplished what God had allowed him to do. He had kept the faith and remained true until the end. Paul was thoroughly convinced that his physical death was not the end of anything and that he would indeed be eternally victorious.

This humble posture from a man condemned to die should likewise shape our lives and guide us forward. Of course, this isn’t the last we’ll hear from the apostle Paul. But these were his parting thoughts.

To fight the good fight takes endurance. A fighter takes some punches even when he wins. To finish the race also requires endurance. Therefore, we must not be deceived. Keeping the faith will require endurance as well.

Paul endured until the end. If we can learn nothing more from that, we must acknowledge that he believed what he taught enough to die for it. He followed the example of Christ and endured until the end. Let’s begin considering the ways we are enduring and the ways we are not. Our convictions will continue to be challenged in this area. Invite the Holy Spirit to speak when they are.

MEDITATION:

And now the prize awaits me —the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.