Don’t Quit Now!

Imagine someone in ancient Israel visiting the tabernacle or temple with an offering for God. What if, just as the priest was about to kill the animal, put the grain on a fire, or pour out a drink offering, the person reached out to stop the priest, and said, “I’ve changed my mind. I think that I really want that offering back. I’m hungry or thirsty, or I want to sell that offering. I want it for myself.”

That would be pretty unexpected, wouldn’t it? Still, is that any different from someone who says, “I don’t have the spare income to be generous as God calls me to give to the church or to others. I need that for myself“? In the same way, for those who choose to follow Jesus, our entire lives are intended to be handed over to God, allowing Him to direct our actions. When we hold back, resist, or contradict His direction, going back to living for ourselves rather than living for Him, we’re trying to take back an offering that has already been committed to Him.

As described in his writings, Paul wouldn’t stand for that behavior in his own life, though: he allowed himself – Paul’s life, Paul’s will, Paul’s comfort, Paul’s preferences – to be given over fully to God. Paul chose to make his life an offering for God’s purposes, God’s direction, God’s plan, and God’s kingdom.

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store 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 longed for his appearing.

2 Timothy 4:6-8 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/2ti.4.6-8.NIV

The timing of this letter might have been nearly the end of Paul’s having to suffer for the faith. Some think that Paul thought he was close to receiving the rewards of faithfulness, the outcome of holding to the truth that he had shared with so many others. Whether the time for his departure (see verse 6) was days, weeks, months, or even years away, though, I think that Paul could almost taste the sweetness of ultimate victory: being rescued from a fallen world to live forever with Jesus in the righteousness of God.

As of this letter, though, Paul wasn’t quite there yet. However, he knew, because of his confidence in Jesus’ faithfulness, that there was a crown waiting for him.

As we could read about in chapter 2 (verses 11-13), even if the crown described here in chapter 4 is the one given to the winner of an athletic event or for some other kinds of achievement (see Moss, p.241), Paul knew that he would reign in Jesus.

What is this crown? Interpretations vary, but one proposal is that the crown is righteousness itself [Moss, p.241]. Because he had remained faithful to Jesus, and stuck with the truth even when it was difficult to do so, Paul knew that he would be justified – pronounced righteous – by God, when the final judgment is given. This righteousness wasn’t earned by Paul living a perfect life (despite him starting out as a Pharisee), but it was instead obtained through Jesus’ perfect sacrifice of Himself.

So, no matter where we are along our journey, let’s finish strong, even as we look forward to what God has promised us after this life. I don’t know how much longer God has planned for each of us to walk this earth (although I’m still rooting for Jesus to return soon, because that will be awesome). However, every day that we’re still here is a chance to renew our commitment, to remain faithful, and to work hard – even when it costs us – for the gospel of Jesus Christ. Don’t give up now. And, if you messed up, confess that to God, ask Him for help in getting back on track, and resume your journey with Jesus. He is not surprised when we fall off the wagon, but He is faithful, merciful, and gracious when we do.

From Sunday School lesson prepared for April 13, 2025

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