“For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (II Timothy 4:6-7, NKJV)
How do we determine the success of our life? Is it by the material things we own? Does it come from our net worth? Or do we judge our success by the number of promotions and accolades we have achieved at work? Do we measure it by the square footage of our home, the car we drive, or the exotic vacations we take?
A SUCCESS OR A FAILURE?
The apostle Paul now sits in a prison cell, alone and lonely. This is not his first time to be imprisoned, but it may be his last. By the world’s standards, Paul is a failure. At one point, he described himself as hungry and thirsty, poorly clothed, beaten, and homeless (II Corinthians 4:11). His few material possessions, which a friend is keeping for him, consist of a cloak, a few books, and some parchments (II Timothy 4:13).
Some might question how a man who started so well could end up like this. What happened?
Actually, they would have it backwards. Paul did not start well. He started as a man filled with rage and hatred for the followers of Jesus. His mission was to destroy them. Yes, he was well educated and had several influential connections, but those things did not give him peace and happiness.
Now, as a homeless preacher, Paul stands on the threshold of eternity. But he does not feel ashamed of his life. It has been well spent. He is finishing well because the last thirty or more years have been devoted to things of eternal value.
ADVICE TO TIMOTHY
Paul’s second letter to Timothy is probably his final epistle. He does not bemoan his fate or list numerous regrets about the things he endured as a missionary evangelist. Instead, he offers words of encouragement and advice to his spiritual son and co-laborer in the gospel.
“Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching . . . But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.” (II Timothy 4, verses 2 and 5, NKJV).
Nothing in Paul’s words to the younger man say anything about finding happiness in possessions or worldly pleasures. Paul understood that true success comes by bringing souls into the kingdom and helping them mature and grow in their walk with the Lord.
Yes, Paul knew his time on earth was limited and that he would soon die for the gospel he had faithfully preached. He had poured all his energy into winning souls, and he had no regrets. Men may not have seen the value in the sacrificial way he lived, but his desire was to please God rather than men.
Being a true success in this life will never depend on our financial standing, material possessions, or powerful position. It has everything to do with devoting ourselves in service to God. For each of us, true success is when we are able to declare, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
Devotion by Mary Loudermilk
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