Studies In The Old & New TestamentStudies In The Old & New Testament"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: 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." 2Tim4:6-8
Here we read the account of a man who had real quality of life. As he reflected upon his life he wasn't full of regrets, but of hope and expectation; knowing that his life had been spent in pursuit of enduring things. His life wasn't spent in pursuit of the passing fancies of this world, or given to the distractions of this age; but rather, he poured out his life as an offering to the Lord. He had the best of everything the world had to offer, but he forsook it all for the pursuit of Christ. He was converted in his youth, and now as an old man he testifies that it was worth it. Now, what laid before him was not doom and gloom but a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, was to give to him.
Seeing then, the outcome of a life spent in pursuit of the things of God and given to God, should inspire us to do the same. He knew that there was a good fight to be fought, he fought it and won. He knew that there was a race to run, he ran it, and finished. He knew that there was a faith to be kept, he kept it. Now it is our turn, what choices will we make? If you are a child of God, then Christ desires to be first in your life. He desires the first-place in your affections, and he won't settle for anything less than this. As with the apostle Paul, God is calling us to serve Him in our youth, will you heed His call?
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Passages of Faith: The Pursuit of LoveAn excellent television show aired on Cox Cable Channel 17