Paul is about to die, and is leaving a legacy. He knew there is no success without a successor. And he’s passing on the life that he’s live with integrity: be willing to suffer, preach the Word of God, do the work of an evangelist. This is a life dedicated to Jesus, rooted in Him, loving others, and growing the kingdom of God.
I want to pass on my faith to others. I want to help others grows more and more as leaders in the kingdom of God. I want to be willing to suffer for Jesus and to teach others that way of life is worth every minute. I want to find those were willing to pay the price for Christ, and pour my life into them. I want to leave a legacy of faith.
More than anything, when I look back on my life I want to be able to say what Paul did. I want to be able to say I ran the race for Christ and with Christ with full conviction. I want to be able to say I finished the race and ran with Jesus and ran for Jesus with all my heart. It helps me before I die to look at the end of Paul’s life and realize the way I want to live my life now. It is all about the Lord, every single breath.
2 Timothy 4:1-8
1I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he appears to set up his Kingdom: 2Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.
3For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. 4They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
5But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
6As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.
Paul’s faith was hyperlinked to God’s heart. It was all or “nothing. In over his head, involving himself in God-sized projects of spreading the gospel, that was Paul. He reminds Timothy of this single-minded focus when he says, “guard the treasure entrusted to you,” IITim 2:14, “be absorbed in the practice and teaching of the gospel” I Tim 4:15 and “don’t entangle yourself with affairs of everyday life.” He’s reminding Timothy to keep his focus on Jesus as he prepares to “ hand off” the baton of his faith and life purpose to his spiritual son, Timothy. I love that focus, that single-minded vision–Jesus 24/7. That’s what I want!