To the Ends of the Earth: Character – Week 7, Day 3 - We Must Fix Our Eyes on Jesus, the Source and Finisher of Our Faith

For I am already on the point of being sacrificed; the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. From now on there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:6–8

It is truly amazing to consider how a man, chained in a cold and dark prison, could be celebrating a life well-lived as he looked forward to a crown of righteousness. Paul, in the midst of his deepest suffering, saw himself as an offering poured out on the altar of heaven before the Father. His life’s work had been completed. He had emptied his very soul before Christ, just as Christ had emptied his life for Paul. Paul no longer considered his sinful past, the sufferings he had endured, or the cruel death that awaited him. All he could see was the One who waited for him at heaven’s door, ready to welcome him and present to him the winner’s crown.

Why do we hesitate to surrender our lives to Christ? Why do we hold on to our egos so tightly? The journey of salvation is a continual emptying of all that we are. Only when we pour out our very selves for Christ, release our sinful past, and live out our calling to the full will we receive the crown of righteousness. We must look beyond current sufferings and struggles to the joyful prize of our salvation and the awesome gift of sweet fellowship with all those who have given their all for the Gospel. Let us fix our eyes on Christ and spend all that we are on reaching the end of our journey.

Questions for Reflection

What does it mean for you to be a libation, to pour out your life to Jesus?

What things keep you from longing with all your heart for the coming of Christ?

How can you pour yourself into the lives of others today?

Praying with Scripture

Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may be proud that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. (Phil 2:14–16)

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