Saturday, December 13, 2014 Lessons From a Life Well Lived Dr. Charles F. Stanley Paul’s Valedictory 6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. - 2 Timothy 4:6-8 (NKJ) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Paul’s second letter to Timothy was written from prison. This time the apostle felt certain that the emperor would have him executed. But God’s faithful servant was ready to take the next step of faith. We shouldnt be surprised that Paul met death with calm acceptance. He lived every day—from his conversion on the Damascus Road to his final moments—in service to God, which meant consenting to whatever hardship he was asked to bear in Jesus’ name. “I have fought the good fight,” he reported to Timothy. From his letters, we know that Paul battled the same enemies we face—the flesh, the world, and Satan (Romans 7:14-25 (below); 1 Corinthians 4:11-13 To the present hour we both hunger and thirst, and we are poorly clothed, and beaten, and homeless. And we labor, working with our own hands. Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we endure; being defamed, we entreat. We have been made as the filth of the world, the offscouring of all things until now.; Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.). When you’re tempted to think that he was somehow more holy than you, meditate on these passages. Paul persevered by faith, just as we must. Even with his profound wisdom and skill as an apostle, missionary, and statesman, Paul wasnt so different from you and me. He was not perfect, and he had spiritual defeats. But he didnt stay down. He got back into the fight. For this and for the life he lived, Paul anticipated the rich rewards of eternity. And he pointed out that heaven’s treasures were “not only to [him], but also to all who have longed for [Jesus’] appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8 NIV). Paul struggled as believers often do. But he kept the faith, and you can, too. Fight the good fight, friend. Battle your enemies by choosing to trust, obey, and rely upon the Lord. You will bring honor to Him and store up treasures in heaven for yourself. ========================================= Romans 7:14-25 New King James Version (NKJV) 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 17 But now, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. 22 For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? 25 I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
Posted on: Sat, 13 Dec 2014 13:28:15 +0000
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