Through all the battles he fought and the lonely valleys he traveled, Paul never fell out of love with Jesus. Seems he is leaving us an epitaph of a man about to meet his Lord.
2 Timothy 4:7-8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
In his loneliness (2 Tim. 4:9-12), discouragement and facing death, Paul looked forward to his crown of righteousness.
As we go through life, we will face some difficulties. We may get hurt or be misunderstood or misrepresented.
Others may not understand us, but God does. He will reward us for a race well run. So, keep running, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.
Ideas for this unprofitable blog are taken from The Sermon Notebook—Biblical resources for preachers and teachers of the word of God. They allow these sermons to be used as the Lord leads but not for profit without their expressed written permission.
