Endure to The End

What are you doing to develop spiritual endurance?

The scripture for today is: 2 Timothy 4:7–8 “I have fought the good fight, I have completed the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, the crown of righteousness is reserved for me, that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me, but also to all who have loved his appearing.”

When You have built your endurance, you will not collapse during the race but will push on toward the goal.

You will become more like Jesus.

My wife and I have going to take walks and run for a bit.

I have notice that I have to built myself to the level I use to be before. Now I know because of my age, I may not get to where I was when I was in my 20’s.

However, I know I can built some endurance, if I keep walking and running.

I have to keep fighting the good fight. For my health.

Now, When we ready what Paul is telling Timothy.

In the greek, fight is not restricted to just a fight.

There is more, it a contest, it a racecourse.

fight the good gith of faith…

Take hold of the eternal life…

confessed the good confession in the presence of many witness…

Paul is telling Timothy: kept the faith:

many people have walk away from the faith, they haven’t keep it. I ask myself Why? Paul is tellling us to guard the good deposit through the Holy Spirit who live in Us.

what is it? it is fear of suffering? is it the testing, the affliction, or is it because your faith is death.

verses 8 says Finally, the crown of righteousness is reserved for me, that the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

I want to talk to you about the crown.

the greek “the crown”… The “Henceforth” meaning mark a decisive moment.

if you split this word, Hence “from the moment you were sent” forth “from the time forward.”

Paul look at it in this aspect:

I have fought (pass)

There is laid up for me. (present)

The Lord will give in that day (future)

1 Peter 5:4 “And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory.”

the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day…

See, Paul by God’s Spirit is saying the crown is prepared for the righteous; but it is a crown which consists in righteousness.

A man is justified gratuitously by the merits of Christ through faith…

This reward is by grace giving through Jesus…

By God’s goodness we will be rewarded not by our own merit or what we think we should get.

This prize is for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.