Towards The Final Curtain

 Towards The Final Curtain

"Fight the good fight of the faith [in the conflict with evil]; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and [for which] you made the good confession [of faith] in the presence of many witnesses. I solemnly charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and [in the presence] of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession [in His testimony] before Pontius Pilate, to keep all His precepts without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ," (1 Timothy 6:12-14, AMP) 

"For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure [from this world] is at hand and I will soon go free. I have fought the good and worthy and noble fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith [firmly guarding the gospel against error]. In the future there is reserved for me the [victor’s] crown of righteousness [for being right with God and doing right], which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that [great] day—and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved and longed for and welcomed His appearing." (2 Timothy 4:6-8, AMP) 

The future always fascinates people. There is an air of mystery surrounding the future - we do not know what exactly might happen. Well, somewhat, apart from one or two things! The truth of the matter is that we know about some things that will occur irrespective of our feelings or thoughts about them. First of all, death is inevitable. We don't like talking about it. Many individuals spend time and money on plastic surgery, exercise, etc. in an attempt to postpone their final day on earth. Eventually that day arrives and there is no turning back. Once that moment arrives, nothing can prevent it as it is determined (day and hour) by Almighty God. The Bible says, "Yet you do not know [the least thing] about what may happen in your life tomorrow. [What is secure in your life?] You are merely a vapor [like a puff of smoke or a wisp of steam from a cooking pot] that is visible for a little while and then vanishes [into thin air]." (James 4:14)

Apostle Paul was ready for his death; he anticipated it with confidence and joy. He had served God wholeheartedly, given up everything, had endured hardship and persecution, had counted all that he had as dung so that Jesus Christ would be glorified. He said, "I have been crucified with Christ [that is, in Him I have shared His crucifixion]; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body I live by faith [by adhering to, relying on, and completely trusting] in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." (Galatians 2:20). 

He went on to say in Philippians 3:4-7, "...though I myself might have [some grounds for] confidence in the flesh [if I were pursuing salvation by works]. If anyone else thinks that he has reason to be confident in the flesh [that is, in his own efforts to achieve salvation], I have far more: circumcised when I was eight days old, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews [an exemplary Hebrew]; as to the [observance of the] Law, a Pharisee; as to my zeal [for Jewish tradition], a persecutor of the church; and as to righteousness [supposed right living] which [my fellow Jews believe] is in the Law, I proved myself blameless. But whatever former things were gains to me [as I thought then], these things [once regarded as advancements in merit] I have come to consider as loss [absolutely worthless] for the sake of Christ [and the purpose which He has given my life]."

Apostle Paul laid up his treasure in Heaven because that was the wisest thing to do - living a life of obedience and total surrender to God. He was a highly educated man, had been a Pharisee, had wielded power when he persecuted Christians but he decided to let go and let God; he made up his mind to follow Jesus unconditionally; he gave up all his possessions in order to be the person that God created him to be. As the final curtain on his life was being drawn, he could say with all amount of assurance, "I have fought the good and worthy and noble fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith [firmly guarding the gospel against error]". What a testimony! What is your testimony? 

I have been disturbed by the quest for and focus on, material wealth by many Christians. Scriptures are quoted to justify their carnal desires. These desires go far beyond the normal need for provision for themselves and their families; it has become an obsession for temporal things, the demonstration of materialism, the lust of the eyes. What a shame! At the end of the day, there is really nothing that distinguishes such individuals from unbelievers. They seem to forget that we have unbelievers who are billionaires, millionaires, Presidents, Prime Ministers, Vice Chancellors, Professors, Judges, Engineers, Doctors, Academics, etc. and these people have , as the world say, 'made it'. Really? There is nothing wrong with academic success, financial success, professional success, etc. but if that is the focus of our lives, then there is something seriously wrong. All worldly success is at best temporal, of no eternal value, which is why it is futile holding on to these things. Jesus spoke about this when He said, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [money, possessions, fame, status, or whatever is valued more than the Lord].

All of us are edging day after day towards the final curtain of our lives. The night is coming when no man can work (John 9:4). Wishful thinking will not prevent that day from coming. No human endeavour can cancel that day because it had been determined by God for everyone, including you and I. Are you ready for that day? Jesus was ready for His painful and excruciating death; Apostle Paul was ready for his execution; Apostle Peter was ready for his crucifixion and well as other believers in the Bible, many of whom died natural deaths. You may not die a painful death but there is an expiry date for all of us. 

January 1st, 2022 will happen if Jesus Christ tarries. You see, one other event that will occur is the second coming of Jesus Christ (Acts 1:11). In anticipation of his last day on earth, Apostle Paul advised Timothy, his spiritual son to, "Fight the good fight of the faith [in the conflict with evil]; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and [for which] you made the good confession [of faith] in the presence of many witnesses." God knows how many years you and I have before the final curtains of our lives are drawn. In the meantime, as we wait in anticipation for 2022, let's fight the good fight of faith. Let's run with vigour, faith and determination the race that is laid before us. Let us look up to Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Let us pray without ceasing. Let us say to God as Isaiah said, 'Here I am, send me' (Isaiah 6:8). This should continue throughout 2022 and in the years beyond. Isaiah and Apostle Paul found the purpose for their lives in God. You can find the unique purpose for your life in Jesus today. Hallelujah!

What do you say? As you ponder over these things, I pray that God Almighty will empower you to serve Him unreservedly as you surrender your will to Him. May 2022 be a year of great exploits for the Lord in your life and mine. Have a blessed day.