Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:8

One day we will all have to stand before The Lord and give an account for our life, for Christians this is a glorious thought , for the unsaved this should be a terrifying thought. As scripture says “Its a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God” (Hebrews 10:31) This is why we preach the gospel with urgency to everyone, seek Jesus and become Born Again before its too late, because there are no second chances in Hell (Luke 16, Hebrews 9:27)

We talked about previously what it means to truly be a disciple of Christ, to carry your cross, to crucify your flesh and live for Jesus. Some would say, what is the point of all this? As a servant of Christ, its an honor and privilege to serve Christ, but also Jesus will reward your faithful service. As the Apostle Paul states here “There is a laid up for me a crown of righteousness” just as Paul compared the Christian walk with competing in a race or battle, the crown is the ultimate prize, the completion of a successful mission. As Paul also said “I press on toward the goal, so I can win the prize” (Philippians 3:14)

When we stand face to face with The Lord, we want to hear him say “Well done good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23) What we don’t want to hear from The Lord is “Depart from me , I never knew you” (Matthew 7:23) These have to be the most terrifying words in the entire Bible. But Jesus is worthy and able to give you the crown of righteousness because He is the righteous judge!

My question or challenge for you today, is are you striving for the crown of righteousness? When you stand before The Lord and give an account of your life, what will He say to you? Are you living for Jesus? Does your life reflect the profession of your faith?

Now I would like to just end with what the Apostle Paul says here “but not only me, but also all of them that love His appearance” the crown of righteousness is available to all who love Christ. But if you truly love Christ, does your life reflect this? Jesus said “If you love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15) See what Paul is teaching here is not works or legalism, this is about relationship with our Living God! Amen!

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 2 Timothy 4:6-7

While the Apostle Paul was writing this epistle, he knew his time was running short. And he was correct, Paul was executed by the Roman Empire during his imprisonment which he wrote this letter. But the Apostle Paul knew to live his life has a “Living Sacrifice” to God (Romans 12:2) as he states here “I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand” We also as Christians should learn to number our days (Psalm 90:12) and to live for Christ and fulfill our calling by God

Jesus said “If anyone wants to be my disciple, come after me, deny themselves, carry their cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24) This should be the mission statement for every Christian, any other expectation outside this mantra is not of the will of God. This is a hard reality for most Christians to accept, to take up your cross and die to self, to die to the world, to crucify the flesh daily, none of this seem natural to the carnally minded. But to those filled and led by the Holy Spirit, its the higher calling by our Lord

As the Apostle Paul states here “I have fought the good fight” Paul described the Christian walk as a battle, you are in a spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6) Paul never described the Christian walk as “living your best life now” this is a deception from the devil. This is a fight, this is a battle, this is a war for your soul and all the souls of the world. The greatest war in human history has been ongoing for centuries, and most don’t even realize they are in it. Fight the good fight of faith, as Paul also said “endure hardness as a soldier of Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3)

The Apostle Paul also said “I have finished my course” As Jesus said “Count the cost” (Luke 14:28) Becoming a Christian will cost you everything, Jesus warns before you profess your faith in Christ, understand the cost. As Paul said “You were bought with a price, you are not your own” (1 Corinthians 6:20) Many believe in Christ but fall away when the road gets tough, finish the course! Jesus also said “Those who endure to the end, shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13) Complete your higher calling in Christ, fight the good fight of faith!

Finally Paul says “I have kept the faith” seems like a simple statement, but many lose their faith when they enter into the battle. Put your full faith and trust in The Lord Jesus Christ in all things, even when we don’t fully understand Gods plan, understand we already have victory in Jesus, Christ has already overcome the world (John 16:33) Fight the good fight, Amen!

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; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 2 Timothy 4:3-5

Once again the Apostle Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is revealing what it will be like in the Last Days. “For the time (Church age) will come, when they will not endure sound doctrine” We live in an age where most people who profess to be Christians, don’t want to hear the sound doctrine of the Bible, more evidence it seems we are living in the last days. 

When you look around the Churches and see what is being preached from the majority of pulpits, most of its blasphemy, most of it is a complete denial of our foundational doctrine that has been given to us by the Holy Spirit. The majority of the Church today denies Jesus is God in the flesh, the majority of the Church denies they are sinners in need of repentance, a good portion of the Church denies the bodily resurrection of Christ, many deny the Virgin Birth, and so on and so on. If you don’t believe me, visit my YouTube Channel where I expose these heresies being preached from the pulpits.

We live in an age where good is called evil and evil is called good (Isaiah 5:20) But this is no surprise to God, as this was prophesied to happen, the great falling away will happen. As Jesus Christ said “For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.” (Matthew 24:24) Jesus also said “Those who endure to the end shall be saved” (Matthew 24:13)

So here’s the warning, don’t be deceived, because Christ said even some of the elect will be deceived. So what is the root behind these false teachings? As the Apostle Paul states “but after their own lusts, because they have itching ears” These are carnally minded people, not regenerated by the Holy Spirit. They want to feed the flesh, so they reject anything edifying by God. This is the root of all false religion, the flesh, the carnally minded and driven person

So what is their response “they will turn their ears away from the truth and shall be turned unto fables” Most people don’t want to hear the truth because they want to feed their flesh, they reject the Word of God, they reject the foundational doctrines of Christianity, they deny the knowledge of the Holy Spirit. This is the state of most of Christianity, clear evidence we are at the end

So what is our response as Born Again Christians? The Apostle Paul tells us “be watchful in all things, endure affiliations and hardships, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” Amen!