Pastor Barry's  "Chapter & Verse"  Day 144

May 24;   2 Timothy 4:7;   200/260(I);    ‘What A Way to Go’

2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

2 Timothy finds Paul nearing the end of his life.  He knows it and is completely unafraid because of his relationship with the Lord.  Perhaps no one, except the Lord Jesus, had been as faithful to their call as Paul.  He endured one hardship after another, without complaining.  After every challenge, he kept right on doing the work of the ministry, never feeling sorry for himself or contemplating quitting.  Paul was given the revelation by the Holy Spirit of the leading of the Holy Spirit and Paul got to know that leading very well.  As he looked back on his life and ministry he said first of all that he fought the good fight.  That good fight was the fight of faith.  Paul, by faith, shared the gospel wherever the Holy Spirit led him.  He boldly taught the truth knowing there would be opposition.  The Lord protected him supernaturally and Paul was determined to never stop telling everyone he could the good news of Jesus.  Paul surely finished his race, fulfilling the Lord’s perfect will for his life.  What peace that gives as we approach the end of our days here on earth and look to eternity with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Paul kept the faith.  Never did he go back to teaching the religious doctrine he was trained in.  He was faithful to teach everyone he could truths given to him by the Holy Spirit.  One day we will all pass on.  That is fine if we, like Paul, can hold our head up declaring we found and did the Lord’s perfect will for our lives.  If you cannot say that right now, make the necessary adjustments.  You can if you choose to.  There is no better way to live.