I Have Finished My Course

2 Timothy 4:1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;
4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.
6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

INTRODUCTORY THOUGHTS

This passage provides some of the last recorded words from Paul to Timothy. In it, Paul charged Timothy to “preach the word” (2 Timothy 4:2), “watch thou in all things, endure afflictions,” and “make full proof” of his ministry (2 Timothy 4:5). Paul then focused Timothy’s attention toward Paul’s departure from this world. The three statements in 2 Timothy 4:7 point to Paul’s life of diligence. Paul had fought the fight, finished his course, and kept the faith. He certainly could be viewed by none as a lazy man. In fact, Paul was far from slothful, warning others day and night (Acts 20:31). Before salvation, Paul worked hard to destroy Christians and Christianity. After he learned the truth, he determined to give his best to the Lord and His work.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Determine to always do your best for the Lord, starting right now throughout your entire life. Don't give up just because the task seems hard. The Lord will reward your work (2 Chronicles 15:7).

• (For everyone): If your life ended today, what would you leave undone? Would you leave those things undone because you did not put forth the effort or because you lacked opportunity? Have you given your all to the work of the Lord Jesus?

• In what areas of life do you put forth the greatest effort? Should these areas control your heart? Have you given as much effort to the Lord’s work as you have your job, your hobbies, or pleasurable activities?

PRAYER THOUGHTS

• Ask God to give you a heartfelt desire to serve Him.

• Pray that the Lord will always give you a view of the brevity of life. Ask Him to reveal what He means by likening life to a vapour (James 4:14).

SONG: Sail On!

Pastor Andrew Ray

Devotions on Diligence