The Reward

The Reward
Words of Faith 8-10-2023
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2023
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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2 Timothy 4
[6] For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. [7] I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. [8] 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.

One might think there would be a great reward for these pastoral efforts. A pension plan? Healthcare benefits? Or people would be really grateful. But the Apostle had to be honest here. Where had this life of ministry and preaching led? To a Roman prison cell and a very near date for execution. He was alone.
Wow. That does not make for a very inviting recruitment brochure. But Paul realized that this was actually a reward. His earthly life was near to a close. He was slowly approaching death and was being poured out like a drink offering. But he took solace in one central thought. He knew that he had fought the good fight.
So many times, Paul had used athletic images to encourage and exhort others. Now he claimed one for himself. He had fought the good fight. And he knew that he had finished the race marked out for him. No one had to tell him this or reassure him. No one had to bring it up. He knew it because it was true. He had not faltered. By the strength of the Lord Jesus, he had not wandered from the race. He knew that he had finished the race marked out for him. He did not need a special crown. He had kept the faith. He had not compromised.
Wow.
There would be a "crown of righteousness," but it would not be on this side of heaven. This crown was not perishable like those won in the Greek games. There would be a heavenly reward, but it was yet to come. On that day, the Lord and righteous judge would give his award to Paul and to all who have followed and fought the good fight.
Wow.
How do those words strike you? No matter where you are on the journey, we can consider our ending. You may have many years still to live and serve. Or your days are shorter in number. Can you say, for yourself, that you have fought the good fight? Do you know that the race you are running will be fun to complete? Have you kept the faith? In the end, is there anything that will count more?

Father God, I want to come to that day holding my head high because of You. I want to come knowing that though there were battles, I have fought the good fight. I want to finish knowing that I have kept the faith. Whatever award there is, this is not my goal. My goal is to finish with integrity. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2023
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2023 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.