I searched for a nice post on the verse in II Timothy about fighting the good fight, for a member who just passed away, and I found this by Pastor Curt & Mary Jo Hencye, who work as missionaries for disasters that occur in the USA.
I have fought the good and worthy and noble fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith [firmly guarding the gospel against error]. [8] In the future there is reserved for me the [victor’s] crown of righteousness [for being right with God and doing right], which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that [great] day—and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved and longed for and welcomed His appearing.- 2 Timothy 4:7-8 AMP
Paul is nearing the end of his life on earth and he knew it. He had spent around 30 years doing ministry and was now in jail with his death quickly approaching. Second Timothy was one of the last writings we have from him before his death.
I cannot begin to imagine all of the persecution and suffering Paul went through in less than 30 years from the time he started doing ministry until his death. Paul's life as a Christian was a living testimony of someone who continually was dying to themselves, taking up their cross, and following Christ. He gave up his whole life to follow Christ knowing that there was nothing in this world that would profit him beyond living all out for Jesus. (Matthew 16:24-26)
This is what anyone who is a Christian is commanded to do. Something that based on all that The LORD has done for us, we should just want to do, our reasonable act of service. (Romans 12:1-2) But unfortunately, very few today do, at least in the USA.
And then Paul tells us that a crown of righteousness awaits him in heaven. He was headed to his “final destination” where he would be eternally rewarded for his short time of service on this earth.
Everyone on earth has a “final destination.” It’s not a question of whether or not this is coming for all of us, but rather where that destination will be, forever in eternity in heaven with The LORD, or forever in eternity in hell separated from The LORD.
Paul knew that this life on earth and all that it has to offer is worth absolutely nothing. He knew that only a life surrendered to The LORD, one that is given up, one that wholeheartedly follows Christ, was the only way for him to live. (Philippians 1:21, Matthew 6:19-21)
What about those of us who call ourselves Christians today? Has something changed that we no longer have to, like Paul, die to ourselves, take up our crosses daily, and follow Christ? If not, then what's our problem? What's hindering us?
As the writer of Hebrews says in 12:1, we're to put off EVERYTHING that hinders us and the SIN that so easily entangles us in order for us to run with perseverance the race that is set before us. In other words, if there is anything in our lives, whether we think it is good or bad, if it in anyway keeps us from wholeheartedly, like Paul, following Christ, then it needs to go!
I'm not saying we all need to quit our jobs and become missionaries, but maybe that is what God is calling you to do? But for most of us, it means living our lives totally different then how we live them today.
I saw a post that said, “the tragedy in life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it.” To a Christian the words “too soon” should be different than the way non-Christian would see it. None of us should desire to be here on earth more than we desire to go to heaven. As Paul said, for me to die is gain! (Philippians 1:21) He would’ve rather been in heaven than on this earth but knew that because he lived his life full out for Christ that it was better for others that he stayed here! (Philippians 1:21-24)
Since absolutely nothing on this earth should matter for a Christian except for living totally for The LORD as we die to our fleshly desires and lives, I would write the post differently. “The tragedy in a Christian’s life is not that our time on earth ends so soon, but rather that we spend too much time pursuing our fleshly desires and chasing after the things of this world rather than dying to our flesh, taking up our cross daily, and following Jesus!”
We are called to be salt and light with our lives here on earth. (Matthew 5:13-16) Salt makes people thirsty. Darkness cannot exist with light. So, ask yourself what is my life making people who I come in contact with today and everyday thirsty for? Things of this earth or Jesus??
Our lives are either drawing people to Jesus, or away from Him. Not drawing them is the same as pushing them away from Him when we know that He is The Way, The Truth, and The Life and we do nothing to show them Him. (John 14:6)
People all around us are searching for answers and unfortunately are getting them from all the wrong sources. Their souls are not being satisfied, so they are left wanting. There are opportunities all around each of us all day long. We need to make the most of every opportunity and always be prepared to share the hope that those around us see in us with them! (Ephesians 5:16, 1 Peter 3:15)
We need to pray, ask The LORD for wisdom and His strength, and then do what The Word says. We need to be using our lives and our words to always be salt and light drawing others to Him in all we say and do instead of deceiving ourselves about what our relationship with Christ really is! (James 1:22)
Please don't hesitate to reach out to us with any questions, prayer requests, etc. We'd love to pray with and for you and to the best of our ability answer any questions you may have soley using God's Word!
Love y’all and LORD Bless,
Curt & Mary Jo
Fighting The Good Fight
23 MAY 2021 BIBLE STUDIES
I have fought the good and worthy and noble fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith [firmly guarding the gospel against error]. [8] In the future there is reserved for me the [victor’s] crown of righteousness [for being right with God and doing right], which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that [great] day—and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved and longed for and welcomed His appearing.- 2 Timothy 4:7-8 AMP
Paul is nearing the end of his life on earth and he knew it. He had spent around 30 years doing ministry and was now in jail with his death quickly approaching. Second Timothy was one of the last writings we have from him before his death.
I cannot begin to imagine all of the persecution and suffering Paul went through in less than 30 years from the time he started doing ministry until his death. Paul's life as a Christian was a living testimony of someone who continually was dying to themselves, taking up their cross, and following Christ. He gave up his whole life to follow Christ knowing that there was nothing in this world that would profit him beyond living all out for Jesus. (Matthew 16:24-26)
This is what anyone who is a Christian is commanded to do. Something that based on all that The LORD has done for us, we should just want to do, our reasonable act of service. (Romans 12:1-2) But unfortunately, very few today do, at least in the USA.
And then Paul tells us that a crown of righteousness awaits him in heaven. He was headed to his “final destination” where he would be eternally rewarded for his short time of service on this earth.
Everyone on earth has a “final destination.” It’s not a question of whether or not this is coming for all of us, but rather where that destination will be, forever in eternity in heaven with The LORD, or forever in eternity in hell separated from The LORD.
Paul knew that this life on earth and all that it has to offer is worth absolutely nothing. He knew that only a life surrendered to The LORD, one that is given up, one that wholeheartedly follows Christ, was the only way for him to live. (Philippians 1:21, Matthew 6:19-21)
What about those of us who call ourselves Christians today? Has something changed that we no longer have to, like Paul, die to ourselves, take up our crosses daily, and follow Christ? If not, then what's our problem? What's hindering us?
As the writer of Hebrews says in 12:1, we're to put off EVERYTHING that hinders us and the SIN that so easily entangles us in order for us to run with perseverance the race that is set before us. In other words, if there is anything in our lives, whether we think it is good or bad, if it in anyway keeps us from wholeheartedly, like Paul, following Christ, then it needs to go!
I'm not saying we all need to quit our jobs and become missionaries, but maybe that is what God is calling you to do? But for most of us, it means living our lives totally different then how we live them today.
I saw a post that said, “the tragedy in life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it.” To a Christian the words “too soon” should be different than the way non-Christian would see it. None of us should desire to be here on earth more than we desire to go to heaven. As Paul said, for me to die is gain! (Philippians 1:21) He would’ve rather been in heaven than on this earth but knew that because he lived his life full out for Christ that it was better for others that he stayed here! (Philippians 1:21-24)
Since absolutely nothing on this earth should matter for a Christian except for living totally for The LORD as we die to our fleshly desires and lives, I would write the post differently. “The tragedy in a Christian’s life is not that our time on earth ends so soon, but rather that we spend too much time pursuing our fleshly desires and chasing after the things of this world rather than dying to our flesh, taking up our cross daily, and following Jesus!”
We are called to be salt and light with our lives here on earth. (Matthew 5:13-16) Salt makes people thirsty. Darkness cannot exist with light. So, ask yourself what is my life making people who I come in contact with today and everyday thirsty for? Things of this earth or Jesus??
Our lives are either drawing people to Jesus, or away from Him. Not drawing them is the same as pushing them away from Him when we know that He is The Way, The Truth, and The Life and we do nothing to show them Him. (John 14:6)
People all around us are searching for answers and unfortunately are getting them from all the wrong sources. Their souls are not being satisfied, so they are left wanting. There are opportunities all around each of us all day long. We need to make the most of every opportunity and always be prepared to share the hope that those around us see in us with them! (Ephesians 5:16, 1 Peter 3:15)
We need to pray, ask The LORD for wisdom and His strength, and then do what The Word says. We need to be using our lives and our words to always be salt and light drawing others to Him in all we say and do instead of deceiving ourselves about what our relationship with Christ really is! (James 1:22)
Please don't hesitate to reach out to us with any questions, prayer requests, etc. We'd love to pray with and for you and to the best of our ability answer any questions you may have soley using God's Word!
Love y’all and LORD Bless,
Curt & Mary Jo
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In Jesus' Name.
