In a prison cell in Rome the Apostle Paul, nearing the end of his life, penned these words; “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” When he wrote those words Paul knew his death was drawing near, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand.” Paul knew that his death would not be a quiet passing into the night; rather, he would be martyred; killed specifically for his belief in Jesus Christ. With his impending death in mind Paul closed the last chapter of this his last epistle with a charge for his dear friend Timothy to; “preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” Paul exhorts Timothy to continue the work of making disciples of all nations. Jesus revealed Paul’s mission to him through Ananias in Acts 9 when He assured him in a vision that the church’s greatest human enemy (Saul/Paul) would soon become her greatest ambassador. Christ says, “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel.” Paul is known as the apostle to the gentiles, leading the way in fulfilling God’s promise in the Old Testament that, “Those who were not my people I will call my people, and her who was not beloved I will call beloved.” (Romans 9:25; Hosea 2:23) Through great adversity and constant peril Paul fulfilled the mission Jesus gave Him, and was not be deterred by violence, hunger, storm, or prison. He was beaten savagely with whips and rods several times, stoned and left for dead, shipwrecked, and often served time in prison. His response to the ever-present danger he faced, “for to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Reflecting on his life in that Roman prison Paul could say with confidence that he finished his race, kept the faith, and could look forward to receiving the prize-eternity with Jesus Christ. Who does not desire to have the fulfillment at the end of their lives that Paul had at the end of his; the satisfaction knowing that he did exactly that for which he was created?
In Paul’s first letter to Timothy he provides the instructions necessary to run the race to the glory of God and live a life not wasted. In verses 1-10 Paul warns Timothy about false teachers, who have the appearance of gospel preachers, but are really only motivated by selfish gain. Their false godliness was a scheme meant for the sole purpose of garnering material wealth (1 Tim 6:5). He writes that there is great gain in being content with food and clothing, and that the pursuit of riches results in a man becoming entangled in a snare. In verse 10 he says that the root of all evil is the love of money, and that many have experienced great sorrow because they sought satisfaction in monetary gain. Human beings desire happiness. Most humans, apart from faith in Jesus Christ, will seek happiness in material gain. That is the essence of the American Dream:
Education + good job + wife/husband + 2.5 children + dog + white picket fence + big house = success. Success + you = happiness.
The human desire for joy is not a problem in and of itself, but the problem is that humans to seek joy in things that are not eternal. Material things fade, and are therefore incapable to provide lasing joy. That is why it is so common for people who have reached the pinnacle of success (Hollywood actors, Top 40 musicians, etc.) to attempt escape from reality through the use of mind-altering substances (drugs, alcohol, etc.). Many of the richest people in the world commit suicide, because once they have achieved that which they have worked so hard for, and discover that it still cannot satisfy their souls, they have nothing for which to live. That is why Paul writes in 1Timothy 6:8, “But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.” How can people be content with just food and clothing? Paul answers in 1 Tim 6:11-16:
But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which he will display at the proper time—he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and the Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.
Turn to Jesus. Paul illustrates repentance (turning from sin to faith in Christ) as running quickly away from sin, like it is chasing you, and running after Christ (righteousness) like you’re a Doberman chasing a bunny-rabbit. In turning from sin to Christ you are “taking hold of eternal life.” Only God gives life to all things, and can satisfy men’s souls. Material things crumble but Jesus is the King of kings, Lord of Lords, and He alone has immortality, He dwells in unapproachable light, and has eternal dominion. Because Christ will surely return (v.14) and we will see Him in the fullness of His glory-we can be content in our lives with no more material things than food and water, because our joy is in the assurance that we have eternal life with Christ. Paul models this contentment when in jail he reflects positively on his life that was laden with trial—he looked forward to seeing Jesus face to face and relishing in His glory for eternity. Christians can also be joyful in the face of all kinds of hardship. Even if we face great trails in our lives, we are looking forward to Jesus’ return, and” though the sorrow may last for the night the joy comes with the morning.”
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