ICS Daily Devotions
Living Out The Christian Life
2 Tim 4:7-8 (NKJV) I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.
These verses describe the desirable attitude of every believer of Jesus Christ. Our goal should be focusing on the finishing line where we are given the crown of righteousness and the rewards in heaven. Apostle Paul was very clear about his calling as an Apostle of Jesus Christ. He has committed his life to preach the gospel, plant churches and continue to minister to them with the word. He continued writing epistles despite of being imprisoned. He spent time to establish the churches. He wasn’t discouraged. He was very focused on what He was called to do. He knew that to live is Christ and to die is gain.
There are many distractions in this life that will cause us to lose focus on what is important and valuable in our lives as believers. The Apostle Paul gave these metaphors of a runner and a wrestler who have to constantly keep themselves practicing discipline. We have to deal with our flesh that wants to do things contrary to what God wants us to do. Some people might have compromised their faith in God and lured back into the world. There is an invisible fight or struggle regarding what we should be doing or living, based on what we profess to believe against the attraction of the world or the urgent matters in the world. It will derail our walk with God and the priorities that we have set in our lives. The Apostle Paul has managed to deal with his flesh, kept His faith, walked with the Lord and served the Lord as an Apostle till the impending moment of being martyred. He fought the good fight, finished the race and kept the faith. He gave of himself to serve the Lord like a drink offering being poured out to Him. These are statements that he made at the end of his life. It was a very satisfactory and fulfilling life.
The Apostle Paul was striving for the crown of righteousness and he felt that he was finally reaching his objective. He was confident in receiving it. The positional truth of the righteous standing before God was becoming a reality in his life the moment he crosses the finishing line of meeting the Lord!
Matt 16:27 (NKJV) For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works.
We will be receiving our rewards at the judgment seat of Christ regardless whether we will meet the Lord after our passing on to glory or at Christ’s Second Return. We must have stored up for ourselves riches in heaven where moth and rust do not destroy. It lasts for eternity. Each one of us will receive our own rewards, therefore we have to serve God based on what God has entrusted to us. You will not be receiving your wife’s reward neither will we be receiving our children’s rewards. We will be receiving our own rewards based on the gifts and talents that God has given us.
Have you been serving God faithfully with your gift and talent? The church will grow when every joint supplies to the body. Then it causes growth. You are a critical part of the body because you are made in a unique manner. God has given you gifts, experiences and abilities that you can contribute with to the local church. Don’t allow the gift to be hidden. Bring it forth to use it and be a blessing to people around you!
Sermon Series: Serving God
