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"Bonds and afflictions await me." As Paul writes these words, he is pushing forward, headlong into suffering. He understands the personal cost involved, but his life holds no value for him. Finishing the course, running well to the end, is his primary focus and goal.
Paul ran the course of the eternal. His story line was not bound up in this temporal preliminary event on earth, but he was already bound to his future in the story line of "forever." Living with an eternal perspective is what gave him the freedom to live boldly, unashamed of the message, holding nothing back, but living all out for the gospel of the grace of God.
But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24).
Paul lived to hear the words of his Master, "Well done, good and faithful slave" as he crossed the finish line. He ran to win. He did all for the sake of the gospel. Unwilling to shrink back when faced with physical affliction, he subjected his body to slavery, in service to the King (1 Corinthians 9:23–27).
His commission as a slave of Christ was to spread the gospel and train believers in order to one day present to Christ every man in a "complete" or spiritually mature condition. His trustworthiness was proven by his sacrificial life. He embraced the afflictions of Christ, which is still a necessary ingredient for giving evidence to the gospel's reality (Colossians 1:24, 28–29).
In Paul's final letter before his martyrdom, he makes reference to the course he has run. His last words contain the transition from the race's finality to the future's reward:
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which 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 (2 Timothy 4:6–8).Today consider your approach to life. Is your perspective bound to the eternal? Do you long for Christ's appearing? Is your heart tied to the temporary or are you living for the forever?
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Comments
on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 7:34 am
I like your comment above Jenny - well put!
Know that song? Something like "da da da da......pressing on to the goal!"
Last night, in a fit of emotional upset, I decided to substitute my moments of sadness with..............a rousing chorus of Christian songs!
It works!
on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 2:44 pm
Concentrated time in prayer.
A study in scripture.
A hearty time of song.
A phone call or letter to a Christian sister.
Scripture memorization. (lately it's this one that works best for me to erase my difficulty with keeping my mind on things that are lovely, true, good, right, just, joyful?, etc!)
It wasn't me that commented first today, I've had a bit of a tough day myself so I chose to keep quiet, the only thing I kept wanting to say was,"Boy, would I ever like to get back to physical running again, the spring keeps this thought up front in my mind, but time says: no.". Not exactly a godly line of thinking. But I did, as usual enjoy the thoughts here today, including yours (I am thrilled that you have a glimmer of cheer in your words today sister, hurrah to that!).
Keeping my sisters in prayer.
Peace, love n' blessings all.
on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 4:38 pm
And Spring will soon be here!
Sending you some of God's sunbeams from here!
(and, so as not to make the others jealous (:o), some to all the sisters on here!!!
Hi Kim
Hugs
Judy
on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 5:09 pm
on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 6:40 pm
on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 9:12 pm
You're right -- when we focus on the eternal, everything takes on new meaning! Washing a load of clothes or wiping a preschooler's runny nose can be opportunities for worship -- loving God and loving others by fulfilling His purposes for our lives in that moment.
Thanks for sharing,
on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 11:38 pm
Thanks for providing some great suggestions for getting an eternal perspective and producing joyful fruit.
Judy,
Hugs back to you!
on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 11:40 pm
Thanks for posting that verse. It is one that really motivates me! I so want to hear my Lord say that to me!
Blessings to you!
on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 11:42 pm
Thank you so much for sharing. I pray you will continue to turn your eyes to the eternal in your family relationships. It is so easy to allow conflict and disappointment to steal our joy and to take our eyes from what is most important -- but Christ has provided a better way for us to live. We can walk by faith, not by sight -- looking at the unseen rather than the temporary.
"Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. For momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal" (2 Cor. 4:16-18).
Blessings dear sister,
on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 11:50 pm
What a wonderful fellowship of Love. Lots of sharpening going on here:-) I also love what Dr. J. Vernon McGee mentioned on his program 'Thru The Bible Radio': "Either This Book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from This Book!" It always puts the fear of God in me & fills me with hope and determination by God's grace.
Love In Christ,
on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 2:21 am
Steph, I hope to hear more from you. It IS hard when not everyone likes us, AND perhaps even harder to let go of that thought and serve. You gave me pause for thought with your words too, thanks.
Judy, so good to see you again *hugs*, thanks for the rays of sunshine, they arrived, was it you that has been sharing them for days? Spring is indeed lovely, I'm glad to hear it's showing up in Belgium as well. :c)
Leslie N., it sure has been a long time, it's good to see you sister. You got me curious about this 'Dr. J. Vernon McGee, never heard of this person, I'm going to Google that. :c)
Jennifer, I agree about Paul's perspective. I have to say though, I feel like he's one of my best buddies, I get quite excited reading his letters. I understand and sympathize with him on many points (especially about being the worst of all sinners). It had to be so hard to be passionate and gaining for Christ and then watching as they fell away... still he continued to run the race through, what an inspiring fellow!! To be spoken to by God Himself after having made the choices he'd made, it's no wonder He was so convicted and passionate, he who's forgiven much...
Well, I went on but hopefully with a smidgen of purpose.
Peace, love n' blessings all.
on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 9:25 am
I especially enjoyed Song of Solomon. It is so Beautifully taught from a heart of love for Jesus. Enjoy.
BTW:; thank you for missing me:-)
on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 10:49 am
Peace, love n' blessings all.
on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 12:07 pm
And yes, it's tough but God sends rain and SUNSHINE too.
Look to the good days. They will come!
Hugs
and hope to see you more often on here!
Judy
on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 at 4:26 pm
“Will you live life like you are going to Heaven” Peace
on Friday, December 17, 2010 at 11:06 am