“Befitting Last Words!”

“Befitting Last Words!”(II Tim.4:6-8)[12/12/2024].
My father died when I was 16 years old. I wouldn’t say at that age I knew anything about dead and dying. I remember, however, that at the precise moment before his last breath, he raised his right hand and waved a goodbye, and with a radiant smile, his hand slumped.
Those who have mastered the rhythm of life are able to hear the departure bell sound within them, and with a sense of fulfilment, they exit this sphere with joy and happiness. The awareness of departure time can be experienced whether one is on a sickbed or dying without being sick. A premonition of one’s own death may not be the right expression for such foreknowledge of one’s time of transition from this world to the next, but the feeling is unshakeable.
The apostle Paul had such a sense of fulfilment when he told young Timothy:
“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure.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 me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” These are befitting last words, but does not become gospel for us to parody when death knocks, or to “cut and paste” on funeral programmes – even when we know that the deceased neither fought any good fight, nor finished the race, nor kept the faith.
However, it is a befitting gospel which raises our consciousness to that fact that in our Christian pilgrimage we should endeavour to fight the good fight, finish the race and keep the faith before our time of departure.
Those who have met the above requirements are confident that on that day, the righteous Judge will award them with a crown of righteousness.
That notwithstanding, it is not just the expectation of one’s future in the other life that brings fulfilment. Fighting the good fight and finishing the race is also about leaving behind a legacy of continuity of the gospel of salvation.
That is the reason for the charge to Timothy: “I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage – with great patience and careful instruction…”
Keeping the faith also means turning a deaf ear to those who propagate false doctrines to itchy ears who desire to hear lies rather than truth.
My friend, keep the faith as you “keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry” so as to qualify to be among those who have longed for the appearing of the Lord and righteous Judge.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, guide us as we fight the good fight, be with us to the finish line, and keep the faith. Amen!
Have a blessed day! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang