Timothy 4:5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
Paul concluded the charge he gave to Timothy by encouraging him to endure whatever afflictions might come his way.
Paul endured many afflictions himself and he wanted to prepare Timothy for persecution and opposition to the gospel.
He stressed that the work of evangelizing the world with the gospel of Christ, must go on at any cost.
Preach Christ crucified for the sins of the whole world, for this alone, is the work of an evangelist. It is the highest privilege to preach glad tidings of peace and salvation by Christ.
An angel from God was first sent to do the work of an evangelist, and how did he do it? Behold, said he, I bring you good tidings of great joy. Unto you is born a Savior.
Those who shy away from preaching the gospel of Christ, do not perform the work of evangelists.
Faithfully keeping the charge given to him, and remaining faithful in all these things, would be the proof of Timothy's ministry efforts.
The steps outlined by Paul are a good blueprint to guide our own actions and service to Jesus Christ.
2 Timothy 4:6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
Paul's motivation for giving Timothy such a strong charge, is that he knew his own death was impending.
Paul had many friends within Caesar's household, and he must have received word that wicked Nero was going to have him executed.
Paul said plainly, “For I am ready to be offered”; literally, poured out as an offering; appropriate to the shedding of his blood.
Paul knew that his life was ending but looked forward to it as a sacrifice to the Lord (See Philippians 2:17). Paul gave Timothy the proper motive to stimulate him to faithfulness.
The aged apostle was going to be martyred and his life was a beautiful testimony of the grace of God and the transforming power of the gospel.
2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Paul often used the Olympic games as a way of teaching us how to live and walk with the Lord. Thus, we fight the good fight; we run the good race. We keep the faith until the end.
Paul ran his race of faith and fought the good fight, and triumphed over all opponents. He would gain the high prize, which is Jesus Christ (See Philippians 3:12-14).
The word translated "fight" contains the word "agonizing." He contended with many adversaries and fought them with the best of his mind, will and soul. His striving to advance the gospel of Christ into the world, was a good fight.
Philippians 1:21) For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25) And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26) I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27) But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Those who competed in Olympic races had to train rigorously. They had to watch their diet. They had to practice running by using their arms and legs efficiently, for the least aerodynamic resistance. They had to build up endurance and lung capacity.
In like manner, a Christian runs the good race, by worshipping God, studying His Word, keeping Christ's commands, spending time praying to the Father, and avoiding the entanglements of sin.
Keeping his body under subjection is an ancient wrestling term. where you seek to trip your opponent to make him fall. If you keep him down, he is defeated and he becomes your slave.
Paul used this to show us that we must not have any confidence in our flesh. Our body is an enemy to the things of God and we must daily mortify it, by abstinence from sin and self denial.
Olympic games have rules that govern the competitors. There are also certain qualifications to meet in order to race. Each of these are reviewed after the race, to make sure the person was eligible for the race, before giving him a medal.
Paul did not want to run the race of life and end up being disqualified. The word "castaway" refers to craftsmen who rejected substandard parts made from metals like bronze. These parts could not be used, but the metal could be recycled.
Sometimes we sin and fail God. When we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us all unrighteousness and to cleanse us through the blood of Jesus.
A righteous man will fall seven times during this faith race, and will get back up each time, because God made this gracious provision for cleansing (Proverbs 24:17).
Like the Corinthian bronze parts that were discarded due to a defect, we can be reused and start running the faith race again.
Paul faithfully followed his new Master, Jesus Christ. He endured immense hardship and physical affliction. Yet, he fully preached the gospel of Christ, and left no stone unturned in his effort to spread the gospel near and wide (Romans 15:19).
1 Corinthians 15:9-10 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10) But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
Paul considered himself to be the least of all the apostles, because he persecuted the church. Yet, Jesus stopped him on his way to Damascus and saved him.
Paul began new life in Christ and he never looked back. He always looked forward to seeing the Lamb of God who saved him by His grace.
2 Timothy 4:8 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.
Because of his great love for Jesus, Paul was unswervingly loyal and he worked harder than any other apostle to spread the gospel.
Paul tells us there was a crown of righteousness that was reserved for him in heaven.
Then, he brings us to another truth regarding the second coming of Jesus. All those who are awaiting, longing for Jesus to return, also have a crown of righteousness reserved for them in heaven.
Thoughts to Ponder....
God cares how His children live, because the choices we make in this life are a reflection of how much or little we esteem God.
Paul carefully instructed Timothy how to carry out gospel ministry and we can be blessed if we follow his instructions.
Let us train ourselves spiritually, by regularly reading the Bible, frequently praying, and being faithful witnesses to the gospel.
Let us lay aside the weight of sin that easily bogs us down, and let us patiently run the race that our Father set before us.
When we stumble and fall, let us be swift to confess our sins and receive forgiveness and cleansing so that we can continue to run.
Hebrews 12:1-2 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, 2) Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
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