I Have Kept the Faith and the Faith Has Kept Me: Part One

II Timothy 4: 6 – 8

JESUS CHRIST gives life a purpose, power, and propulsion. He wants your life to have meaning. He knows that no individual can live a full and meaningful life without a goal.

We are a goal-oriented society. Clinics, conferences, and seminars are held on goal setting. Yet, few people envision their life as having an overall goal.

Take you, for example. Have you ever written out your overall goal for life regardless of your age?  Let’s be a bit more specific. In life who do you seek to please in every decision you make and every deed you do? Jesus Christ is our worthy standard.

Defined goals result in refined lives.

French philosopher, Jean-Paul Sartre said, “You will never find peace and happiness until you are ready to commit yourself to something worth dying for.”

The Apostle Paul wrote II Timothy 4: 6 – 8 in retrospect of His life.

He wrote of his life and death in beautiful symbolism that can help our understanding of death.

He spoke of life as being “poured out as a drink offering.” This graphic translates the Greek word “spendo.” In the temple priests often dedicated various liquids to God. The ceremony involved pouring the liquid on the altar. That was the purpose for which the liquid existed. Is your life being “poured out” for Jesus?

It was natural for Paul to speak of his forthcoming martyrdom as a sacrifice, for God’s word appeals to each of us to make our life a “living sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable sacrifice.” (Romans 12:1) 

Another expression is used to describe destiny: “the time of my departure is at hand.” The New Testament Greek word so translated is “analusis.” It was used in several ways that help our comprehension of death.

* It was used to describe a yoke being taken off a beast of burden.

* It was used to depict ropes being removed from a person who had been tied up.

* It was used to picture a ship that had been loosened from its mooring. Set free to sail.

In every sense of the word it depicts being set free for fuller use. Are you confidently heading toward such a destiny?

Is there something restricting your service to the Lord from which you can be set free, and should be? If so, make this your moment of being poured out. Grant yourself that perpetual joyous victory.