Today, on the 28th day of August, 84 years ago, I transitioned from my mother’s womb into the world. I have lived through 84 years of ups and downs, sunshine and storms, building my understanding of life by looking back on experience after experience.
I am nearing the end of my journey. What can I say about my past and my anticipation of the future? How much longer do I have in time before I transition again into the realm of eternity?
I think often about these things since I have no idea whether my end will be abrupt or drawn out. Jesus urged us to be ready. We must not allow our final day to take us by surprise, leaving us no time to prepare for our eternal future.
There is a place and a designation for the elderly. Starting the journey well with Jesus is good but finishing well is better. God wants His oldies to be good finishers. This is the greatest testimony to His grace.
Paul had a triumphant declaration of his life and impending death as a good finisher.
2 Timothy 4:6-8 NLT
[6] “As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. [7] I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. [8] And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.”
He confidently asserted his qualifications for the prize he would earn for his life of faithful service to his Master.
He had a calling which he fulfilled, to take the gospel to the Gentile world. He viewed his mission as a drink offering poured out to God in worship. This calling involved blood, sweat, and tears, but he did it out of love for Jesus.
He had a treasure to guard and to pass on to succeeding generations. The gospel message was not his. Jesus entrusted it to him to deliver, unchanged and intact, to those who heard him and to those who came after them until the end of time.
His source was the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, foretold by the prophets, fulfilled in history, and interpreted by the Holy Spirit in and through him and his fellow apostles. He was not only faithful to his calling but he also urged those who came after him to stick with the truth.
2 Timothy 1:14 NLT
[14] “Through the power of the Holy Spirit who lives within us, carefully guard the precious truth that has been entrusted to you.”
He anticipated his death with joy. There was no “sword of Damocles” hanging over his head. Not even the possibility of martyrdom frightened him. He was on his way to glory and the way it would happen was simply the transition from time to eternity.
For those who anticipate Jesus’ return with joy, the interim is the time to prepare, to put right what needs attention and to endure with patience the trials and tests of the journey.
Peter joined Paul in his joyful anticipation of the future for good finishers.
1 Peter 1:6-9 NLT
[6] “So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. [7] These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. [8] You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. [9] The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.”
What of those who ignore or brush aside with contempt the process by which good finishers will enjoy their reward? Some live by the foolish notion that everyone will go to heaven no matter how they finished life on this earth. Others push the notion of death aside and live as though there is no tomorrow.
What a fool’s dream. How can God welcome His enemies into His eternal home?
Romans 5:10 NIV
[10] “For if, while we were God’s ENEMIES…
How can He invite the dead to live with Him forever?
Ephesians 2:1 NIV
[1] “As for you, you were DEAD in your transgressions and sins…”
How can He tolerate sin in His holy presence?
Habakkuk 1:13 NIV
[13] “Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing. Why then do you tolerate the treacherous?…”
He warns…
Galatians 6:7-8 NLT
[7]”Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. [8] Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.“
The only way to ensure that you will finish well is, first, to start the journey with the right company. Keeping company with the world will aid you on your way to destruction. Jesus is the only way to the Father.
Second, staying on course will keep you moving in the right direction towards your desired destiny. Guard and stay in the truth. Those who endure to the end will be saved.
Third, do the work you were assigned to do. Jesus requires only one way to please Him. Love one another. There are many expressions of love. Follow the directive you have received from the Spirit to express Jesus’ love to one another.
Fourth, anticipate the Lord’s return with joy for there is a great reward for good finishers.
My journey has not yet ended but my heart is moving me towards my destination with the anticipation of a grand welcome into His eternal. Kingdom.
2 Peter 1:10-11 NLT
[10] “So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. [11] Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”