THE FIGHT, THE FAITH, THE CROWN
Oh! to be able to say these words in truth "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is
laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7, 8.
Considering the circumstances under which these words of triumphant faith were spoken, we must regard them as among the most remarkable utterances in all history. The apostle Paul was nearing the end of his earthly journey. Rejected by his own nation, to whom he sought to minister the gospel, forced to appeal to the court of Caesar to escape the unjust judgment of his own flesh and blood, incarcerated in a dreary dungeon cell, forsaken by his own disciples, with the prospect before him of speedy death, he faced a situation that was indeed anything but hopeful or reassuring. But while the outlook was dark, the up look
was bright. A greater than Caesar sat on the throne of eternal justice, and to him the apostle looked for the final adjudication of his cause. A heart of infinite love yearned over the persecuted and forsaken disciple,
and in that communion and fellowship the apostle found solace and comfort.
In his prolonged captivity the apostle had been surrounded by the legionaries of Rome. He had witnessed the triumphal celebrations of victorious armies. He had looked upon the battle-scarred veterans
as they returned from the conflict. He compares in this scripture the experience of the soldier of Christ with that of the soldier of earthly governments. But oh, what a difference in the aims, the purposes, the methods, the labors, the rewards, of the two classes!
The nations of men fight for the love of conquest, for national honor, for aggrandizement in money or in territory, or because of real or fancied insults. Victory is purchased at any sacrifice of pain and suffering and bloodshed. Desolated fields, burned villages, ruined homes, widowed wives, orphaned children, and a thousand other woes follow in the wake of human strife.
“There are thorns in victory’s proudest crowns.”
To the apostle human war brought its lesson and served him as a simile, but in his heart its spirit found no appeal. His was a holier cause. His was a fight for God and for the eternal principles of love and justice and purity and peace. It was his to heal wounds, not to make them; to save life, not to destroy it; to reconcile his enemies, not to do them despite. Of the conflict in which he was engaged, he declares:
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12.
“(For the weapons of our warfare,” he says, “are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) casting down maginations, and every high thing that exalted itself against the
knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians
10:4.
This warfare included primarily the conflict with sin in his own heart. Of his own experience he says, “But 1 keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corinthians 9:27.
And as the apostle sought through the mighty weapons of God’s Spirit and grace to vanquish the enemy of all righteousness from his own heart, so he sought by every means in his power to assist his fellows to wage the same successful warfare in their experience. This was the great and mighty conflict in which the apostle engaged. It was a fight for character, for right, for God.
Keeping the Faith
He further declares, 1 have kept the faith.” The keeping of the faith meant far more to the apostle than the giving of mental assent to a system of theological dogmas and doctrines. This brief word represented a life of sacrifice and suffering, of toil and hardship and privation. Born in the proud city of Tarsus, a Roman citizen in his own right, a Jew in religion, a member of the aristocratic sect of the Pharisees, taught by Gamaliel, a learned doctor of the law, a member doubtless of the Sanhedrin, the
apostle Paul had before him every worldly prospect for a successful and honorable career. Easily could he have become a leader in his own nation and in the world of thought and action. But he was turned aside from this pleasing prospect.
While on his way to Damascus, commissioned by the highest authorities of the Jewish "church" to persecute even unto death the followers of Christ, a vision from God enlightened the eyes of his understanding. He saw for the first time in their true light his own, sordid purposes, his unholy and selfish ambitions. He realized the vanity of human achievement, the emptiness of worldly honor and glory, the worthlessness of earthly riches, and in striking contrast the beauty and nobility of a life devoted to God and to the uplifting of his fellow men, and the eternal reward of well doing. He declares: “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all
things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.” Philippians 3:7, 8.
It was no easy service to which the Master called him. He must throw in his lot henceforth with a poor, despised people. He must adopt a name associated in the world’s estimation with a cross of infamy. But the greatness of his soul and the nobility of his purpose were shown by his decision. He stopped not to confer with flesh and blood. He returned not to Jerusalem to take counsel with his friends. He was obedient to the heavenly vision, showing first to those in Damascus, later in Jerusalem and Asia Minor, and finally in Rome, his change of life purpose and his newborn faith.
Paul’s Great Trials
Of the stern realities of his Christian experience he speaks freely. Comparing his credentials of apostle ship with the claims of false teachers, he declares: “Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in weariness and painfulness, in watching often, in hunger and thirst, in fasting often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which comes upon me daily, the care of all the churches.” 2 Corinthians 11:23-28.
And this on the part of the apostle was not an unwilling service to his Master. He declares, “I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake.” 2
Corinthians 12:10. The keeping of the faith meant something to the apostle Paul. It meant wearing labor, toilsome journeys, unremitting toil, sacrifice, persecutions, and finally death. Was all this sacrifice worth while? Did it pay the apostle to turn aside from every earthly prospect,
to reject all that the world proffered him, and to cast in his lot with the humble people of God? Will the Christian’s hope give comfort when all else fails? Listen to the apostle’s unwavering profession of faith from his prison house in Rome. Speaking of his appointment as a preacher of righteousness, and of the persecutions which that work brought to him, he declares, “Nevertheless I am not ashamed. For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is, able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” 2 Timothy 1:12.
Moses’ Wise Choice
We find a striking parallel of the experience of the apostle Paul in the history of Moses. Within his grasp were the riches of Egypt. As a son of Pharaoh’s daughter he was heir to the Egyptian throne. Every motive of worldly ambition, of selfish interest, of personal gratification, urged him to identify himself with the royal household. But, closing his ears to every importunity, he rejected these proffers of worldly greatness and honor. The record is that he esteemed the, reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt, and chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a Season.
This sterling integrity of a faithful servant was honored by the God of heaven. Moses became the leader of a mighty movement, an agent in the hands of God for the formation of a commonwealth founded upon principles of equity and justice which have been incorporated into the laws of every civilized government since that period. And when Moses died, God resurrected him and took him home to glory. Think you when Moses descended upon the mount of transfiguration, and amid the celestial glory talked with Elijah and with Christ, he regretted the choice he had made? The proud throne of the Pharaohs had long since crumbled to dust; the haughty oppressors of the children of God were known only in the pages of history; but Moses, who chose the lot of the bondmen and esteemed the reproach of Christ above the pomp and pageantry, the riches and glory, of worldly splendor, lived and reigned in the courts above.
Is the Christian’s hope worth while? Let the patriarch job answer. From the depths of his affliction he cried: I know that my Redeemer lives, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.” “If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. Thou shall call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of your hands.” Job 19:25; 14:14, 15. Let Balaam answer as he contemplated the reward awaiting faithful Israel: “Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his.” Numbers 23:10.
Listen to the king of Israel as in soul distress he turns to God: “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall
strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” Psalm 27:13, 14; 17:15.
And to this concert of testimony might he added the dying witness of the saints of God in every age. It was the witness of the apostle. His testimony was, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.” 2 Timothy 4:7, 8.
No Neutral Ground
In this conflict of warring principles every created intelligence has a part. directly or indirectly, consciously or unconsciously, every human being is casting his influence on the side of God or on the side of the adversary.
There is no neutral ground. Indeed, to choose to be neutral is to choose the ways of death. And no man can evade responsibility for his choosing.
Human reasoning says that it is vain to serve God, and inquires, What profit is it that we have kept His ordinance and walk mournfully before the Lord of hosts? The Lord in this life apparently puts little difference between the righteous and the wicked. He sends His rain on the just and on the unjust. He desires that man shall serve Him from love and from principle rather than through the hope of temporal reward. But the time will come, He declares, when we shall “return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serves God and him that served Him not.” Malachi 3:18. Of His children at that time the Lord declares, “They shall be mine, said the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and 1 will spare them, as a man spared his own son that served him.” Verse 17. In that day we shall recognize, as never before, that it pays to serve God.
It was to the day of final awards that the apostle Paul looked forward. It was respect for the recompense of the reward which led- Moses to decide for God. May God make that our hope. The night of sin will soon be over. We see the signs of approaching day. Christ will soon come to take His children home. May we learn to suffer with Him here, that we may reign with Him in eternity. By His grace may we so live that at the end of our earthly journey we may say in the words of the Spirit’s prompting,
representing our own experience, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall
give to me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7, 8.
He Will Care for You
When your load seems hard to carry, And the path of life is steep;
When the mountains rise above you, And the valleys are so deep;
It is then you need a helper And a friend to bear your load,
Someone who can lift your burdens and assist you on the road.
When your heart is crushed and broken
With a nameless pain and grief;
When your soul is filled with sorrow
And you seek for some relief;
There is One who knows your burdens,
One who ever is your Friend;
He hath trod the way before you,
He does fully understand.
There is One, the blessed Jesus,
Who alone your heart does know.
You may tell Him every sorrow,
Every heartache, pain, and woe.
He will press you to His bosom
With a tender, loving care;
He will whisper words of comfort,
And will all your troubles share.
Yes, there’s One who will go with you
Through the dark and cheerless night,
One who never fails nor falters-
He will make your burdens light.
It is He who died for sinners,
He will guide you all the way;
Then, dear soul, give Him your burdens
And your night will turn today.
N. P. NEILSEN
laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7, 8.
Considering the circumstances under which these words of triumphant faith were spoken, we must regard them as among the most remarkable utterances in all history. The apostle Paul was nearing the end of his earthly journey. Rejected by his own nation, to whom he sought to minister the gospel, forced to appeal to the court of Caesar to escape the unjust judgment of his own flesh and blood, incarcerated in a dreary dungeon cell, forsaken by his own disciples, with the prospect before him of speedy death, he faced a situation that was indeed anything but hopeful or reassuring. But while the outlook was dark, the up look
was bright. A greater than Caesar sat on the throne of eternal justice, and to him the apostle looked for the final adjudication of his cause. A heart of infinite love yearned over the persecuted and forsaken disciple,
and in that communion and fellowship the apostle found solace and comfort.
In his prolonged captivity the apostle had been surrounded by the legionaries of Rome. He had witnessed the triumphal celebrations of victorious armies. He had looked upon the battle-scarred veterans
as they returned from the conflict. He compares in this scripture the experience of the soldier of Christ with that of the soldier of earthly governments. But oh, what a difference in the aims, the purposes, the methods, the labors, the rewards, of the two classes!
The nations of men fight for the love of conquest, for national honor, for aggrandizement in money or in territory, or because of real or fancied insults. Victory is purchased at any sacrifice of pain and suffering and bloodshed. Desolated fields, burned villages, ruined homes, widowed wives, orphaned children, and a thousand other woes follow in the wake of human strife.
“There are thorns in victory’s proudest crowns.”
To the apostle human war brought its lesson and served him as a simile, but in his heart its spirit found no appeal. His was a holier cause. His was a fight for God and for the eternal principles of love and justice and purity and peace. It was his to heal wounds, not to make them; to save life, not to destroy it; to reconcile his enemies, not to do them despite. Of the conflict in which he was engaged, he declares:
“For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” Ephesians 6:12.
“(For the weapons of our warfare,” he says, “are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds;) casting down maginations, and every high thing that exalted itself against the
knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” 2 Corinthians
10:4.
This warfare included primarily the conflict with sin in his own heart. Of his own experience he says, “But 1 keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.” 1 Corinthians 9:27.
And as the apostle sought through the mighty weapons of God’s Spirit and grace to vanquish the enemy of all righteousness from his own heart, so he sought by every means in his power to assist his fellows to wage the same successful warfare in their experience. This was the great and mighty conflict in which the apostle engaged. It was a fight for character, for right, for God.
Keeping the Faith
He further declares, 1 have kept the faith.” The keeping of the faith meant far more to the apostle than the giving of mental assent to a system of theological dogmas and doctrines. This brief word represented a life of sacrifice and suffering, of toil and hardship and privation. Born in the proud city of Tarsus, a Roman citizen in his own right, a Jew in religion, a member of the aristocratic sect of the Pharisees, taught by Gamaliel, a learned doctor of the law, a member doubtless of the Sanhedrin, the
apostle Paul had before him every worldly prospect for a successful and honorable career. Easily could he have become a leader in his own nation and in the world of thought and action. But he was turned aside from this pleasing prospect.
While on his way to Damascus, commissioned by the highest authorities of the Jewish "church" to persecute even unto death the followers of Christ, a vision from God enlightened the eyes of his understanding. He saw for the first time in their true light his own, sordid purposes, his unholy and selfish ambitions. He realized the vanity of human achievement, the emptiness of worldly honor and glory, the worthlessness of earthly riches, and in striking contrast the beauty and nobility of a life devoted to God and to the uplifting of his fellow men, and the eternal reward of well doing. He declares: “But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all
things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ.” Philippians 3:7, 8.
It was no easy service to which the Master called him. He must throw in his lot henceforth with a poor, despised people. He must adopt a name associated in the world’s estimation with a cross of infamy. But the greatness of his soul and the nobility of his purpose were shown by his decision. He stopped not to confer with flesh and blood. He returned not to Jerusalem to take counsel with his friends. He was obedient to the heavenly vision, showing first to those in Damascus, later in Jerusalem and Asia Minor, and finally in Rome, his change of life purpose and his newborn faith.
Paul’s Great Trials
Of the stern realities of his Christian experience he speaks freely. Comparing his credentials of apostle ship with the claims of false teachers, he declares: “Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labors more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; in weariness and painfulness, in watching often, in hunger and thirst, in fasting often, in cold and nakedness. Beside those things that are without, that which comes upon me daily, the care of all the churches.” 2 Corinthians 11:23-28.
And this on the part of the apostle was not an unwilling service to his Master. He declares, “I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake.” 2
Corinthians 12:10. The keeping of the faith meant something to the apostle Paul. It meant wearing labor, toilsome journeys, unremitting toil, sacrifice, persecutions, and finally death. Was all this sacrifice worth while? Did it pay the apostle to turn aside from every earthly prospect,
to reject all that the world proffered him, and to cast in his lot with the humble people of God? Will the Christian’s hope give comfort when all else fails? Listen to the apostle’s unwavering profession of faith from his prison house in Rome. Speaking of his appointment as a preacher of righteousness, and of the persecutions which that work brought to him, he declares, “Nevertheless I am not ashamed. For I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is, able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.” 2 Timothy 1:12.
Moses’ Wise Choice
We find a striking parallel of the experience of the apostle Paul in the history of Moses. Within his grasp were the riches of Egypt. As a son of Pharaoh’s daughter he was heir to the Egyptian throne. Every motive of worldly ambition, of selfish interest, of personal gratification, urged him to identify himself with the royal household. But, closing his ears to every importunity, he rejected these proffers of worldly greatness and honor. The record is that he esteemed the, reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt, and chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a Season.
This sterling integrity of a faithful servant was honored by the God of heaven. Moses became the leader of a mighty movement, an agent in the hands of God for the formation of a commonwealth founded upon principles of equity and justice which have been incorporated into the laws of every civilized government since that period. And when Moses died, God resurrected him and took him home to glory. Think you when Moses descended upon the mount of transfiguration, and amid the celestial glory talked with Elijah and with Christ, he regretted the choice he had made? The proud throne of the Pharaohs had long since crumbled to dust; the haughty oppressors of the children of God were known only in the pages of history; but Moses, who chose the lot of the bondmen and esteemed the reproach of Christ above the pomp and pageantry, the riches and glory, of worldly splendor, lived and reigned in the courts above.
Is the Christian’s hope worth while? Let the patriarch job answer. From the depths of his affliction he cried: I know that my Redeemer lives, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: and though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.” “If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come. Thou shall call, and I will answer thee: thou wilt have a desire to the work of your hands.” Job 19:25; 14:14, 15. Let Balaam answer as he contemplated the reward awaiting faithful Israel: “Who can count the dust of Jacob, and the number of the fourth part of Israel? Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his.” Numbers 23:10.
Listen to the king of Israel as in soul distress he turns to God: “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall
strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” “As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.” Psalm 27:13, 14; 17:15.
And to this concert of testimony might he added the dying witness of the saints of God in every age. It was the witness of the apostle. His testimony was, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness.” 2 Timothy 4:7, 8.
No Neutral Ground
In this conflict of warring principles every created intelligence has a part. directly or indirectly, consciously or unconsciously, every human being is casting his influence on the side of God or on the side of the adversary.
There is no neutral ground. Indeed, to choose to be neutral is to choose the ways of death. And no man can evade responsibility for his choosing.
Human reasoning says that it is vain to serve God, and inquires, What profit is it that we have kept His ordinance and walk mournfully before the Lord of hosts? The Lord in this life apparently puts little difference between the righteous and the wicked. He sends His rain on the just and on the unjust. He desires that man shall serve Him from love and from principle rather than through the hope of temporal reward. But the time will come, He declares, when we shall “return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serves God and him that served Him not.” Malachi 3:18. Of His children at that time the Lord declares, “They shall be mine, said the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and 1 will spare them, as a man spared his own son that served him.” Verse 17. In that day we shall recognize, as never before, that it pays to serve God.
It was to the day of final awards that the apostle Paul looked forward. It was respect for the recompense of the reward which led- Moses to decide for God. May God make that our hope. The night of sin will soon be over. We see the signs of approaching day. Christ will soon come to take His children home. May we learn to suffer with Him here, that we may reign with Him in eternity. By His grace may we so live that at the end of our earthly journey we may say in the words of the Spirit’s prompting,
representing our own experience, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall
give to me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” 2 Timothy 4:7, 8.
He Will Care for You
When your load seems hard to carry, And the path of life is steep;
When the mountains rise above you, And the valleys are so deep;
It is then you need a helper And a friend to bear your load,
Someone who can lift your burdens and assist you on the road.
When your heart is crushed and broken
With a nameless pain and grief;
When your soul is filled with sorrow
And you seek for some relief;
There is One who knows your burdens,
One who ever is your Friend;
He hath trod the way before you,
He does fully understand.
There is One, the blessed Jesus,
Who alone your heart does know.
You may tell Him every sorrow,
Every heartache, pain, and woe.
He will press you to His bosom
With a tender, loving care;
He will whisper words of comfort,
And will all your troubles share.
Yes, there’s One who will go with you
Through the dark and cheerless night,
One who never fails nor falters-
He will make your burdens light.
It is He who died for sinners,
He will guide you all the way;
Then, dear soul, give Him your burdens
And your night will turn today.
N. P. NEILSEN
posted by Michael A. Redwine at Friday, January 13, 2006
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