A Day to Finish

Toward a New Creation
Judgment and Salvation

The Day of the Lord

2 Timothy 4:1-8  The Message

4 ^1-2 I can’t impress this on you too strongly. God is looking over your shoulder. Christ himself is the Judge, with the final say on everyone, living and dead. He is about to break into the open with his rule, so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don’t ever quit. Just keep it simple.

^3-5 You’re going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food—catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They’ll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages. But you—keep your eye on what you’re doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God’s servant.
^6-8 You take over. I’m about to die, my life an offering on God’s altar. This is the only race worth running. I’ve run hard right to the finish, believed all the way. All that’s left now is the shouting—God’s applause! Depend on it, he’s an honest judge. He’ll do right not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming.

 

For Reflection

God intends that we witness to God's Grace.  God intends that we exemplify the blessings of life in the hollow of God's hand.  God intends that we exercise free will by avoiding the seductions of false teaching and choose instead to follow the example set by God's son, Jesus.

Pray

That you will be true to your choice to follow God.  Pray, as a servant of God, that you will accept the hard times and the good times with equal conviction to keep God's message alive.