Secret to a successful Christian Journey

Secret to a successful Christian Journey

How can we have successful Christian Journey?

We can read some of Paul’s very last comments in 2 Timothy 4:6–8. He claims, “I have kept the faith; I have finished the race, and I have competed well,” in them. He has no remorse, despite the fact that he is in jail and about to be killed. He dutifully finished the course that God had given him to run.

Everyone can begin something, but very few people can complete it. When we examine the biblical narratives, we find that many of them started off well but ended poorly. Noah was a kind guy who protected his family and himself from the deluge, but when we last heard from him, he was wasted, nude, and being teased by his son. Moses was meant to lead Israel out of Egypt and into the promised land. However, he also does not complete the task as he had hoped. He passes away in the wilderness alongside the disloyalty of Israelites.

We are commanded to believe in and obey Christ, thus becoming a Christian is not difficult. However, it is challenging to stick by him all the way through. Living a successful Christian life is challenging. Because of Paul’s accomplishment, one must thus research and imitate him. Paul looks back on his past in verse 6 without feeling remorse. He thinks about his present in verse 7 and his glorious future in verse 8.

Paul dutifully completed the task at hand, from his Damascus conversion to his second Roman captivity and eventual death. In order to motivate Timothy and us to act similarly, he tells Timothy this. We discover seven guidelines for leading a fruitful Christian life as we reflect on Paul’s exultant comments at the end of his life. ALSO READ ON Jesus As The Lamb Of God

We Must Make Disciples of Others If We Are to Follow Christ Successfully

Every successful Christian life and effective ministry share this quality. A life of procreation—making disciples for the kingdom—is the mark of a successful Christian existence. When there is a great leader in a company, a church, or a country, those entities frequently prosper. But typically, that entity stops thriving after that leader leaves. Success is a long-term endeavor, not a quick fix. True success includes setting up a system to succeed even after the leader has left. Successful Christians in their spiritual lives also do this, as do good leaders.

Christ’s mission only lasted three years, yet after his death, his twelve followers carried on his work and completely altered the course of history. God used Moses to get Joshua ready, and Elijah to get Elisha ready. Paul made Timothy ready. For whom are you preparing? Every Christian is commanded by Christ to go and create disciples (Matt 28:18-20). In a manner, the spiritual legacy that is left behind when a person dies reveals their final achievement.

All Christians must invest in the development of godly children (Ephesians 6:4). Titus 2:3-4 states that men must train other men and women must train other men (2 Tim 2:2).

John addresses fathers, young men, and spiritual children in 1 John 2:14–18. These are the steps in the Christian life that we should all take. Everybody should advance to the mother or father stage, when they are procreating in their own image, teaching others teachings and assisting others in becoming more like Christ. They are urging others to “be imitators of me, just as I am of Christ,” in the manner of Paul (1 Corinthians 11:1). Sadly, the majority never reach the parent or father stage. Instead of growing up to serve others, they remain stunted children who require regular correction, feeding, and cleaning.

The Jewish Christians should have been teachers by this stage, according to the author of Hebrews 5:12, but they still needed to be taught the fundamental principles. Sadly, that is the situation with the majority of churchgoers. They are not ready to lead or educate because they are still trying to learn what they have lost. ALSO READ ON You belong to God

If we wish to live godly Christian lives, we must disciple others. Whom are you making a wager on? Who will continue your work once you pass away?

We Need To Live Sacrificially If We Want To have A Successful Christian Journey.

Because the moment for me to depart is rapidly approaching, I am already being poured out as an offering.

In 2 Timothy 4:6
The Lord’s offering process ended with the drink offering. The Jews were instructed to present a burnt offering, a grain offering, and lastly a drink offering to the Lord in Numbers 15:1–10.

• (1)Paul saw himself to be a living sacrifice. He instructed the Romans to present themselves to God as living sacrifices in Romans 12:2. Paul’s death marked the culmination of a life of sacrificing for the Lord and others. In actuality, the word “time” in verse 6 refers to seasons or epochs rather than chronological time (chronos) (kairos).
• (2)After writing these remarks, Paul may have lived for several months. In fact, while he waits, he requests that Timothy bring him a jacket and some books (v. 9-22). Paul anticipated being released during his first Roman incarceration (Phil 1:19, 25), but during his most recent confinement, maybe due to wisdom bestowed by the Holy Spirit, he understood that this was the last step of his sacrifice.
• Some even believe that the act of pouring forth like a drink offering was a metaphor for the kind of death Paul would experience. He wasn’t able to be crucified because he was a Roman citizen. As per tradition, he would have his head hacked off.

Paul would be offered up before the Lord as a physical sacrifice.

Christ said that anyone who followed after him must take up his cross, and that the effective Christian life is a life of sacrifice (Luke 14:27) . A successful Christian bears the cross in numerous ways.

How do we lead a life of sacrifice?

(1) We must lead lives of worship if we are to live lives of sacrifice:

One of the ways people worshiped God in the Old Testament was through sacrifice. Paul suggested that his life (and his death) were a continuous act of worship to the Lord by equating it with OT offerings. For us, it must be the same. Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God, according to First Corinthians 10:31. Everything we do, including what we eat and drink, must be done to God’s honor. ALSO READ ON Inspirational Bible Verses And Encouragement

By expressing thanks to God in everything and striving to glorify him through it, we accomplish this. Job yelled, “The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away,” as he endured the loss of his possessions and loved ones. May the Lord’s name be praised! Job 1:21. Unfortunately, a lot of people only worship God in good times then reject him or get angry with him when things are tough. A life of sacrifice is a life of adoration, always and everywhere.

Do you live as a sacrifice of adoration to the Lord?

(2) We must be willing to bear the price in order to live a life of sacrifice:

Paul stated in Philippians 3:7-8:

But because of Christ, I have come to view these assets as obligations. Additionally, I now view everything as liabilities in comparison to the far greater value of knowing Christ, my Lord, for whom I have sacrificed everything—in fact, I view it as dung!—in order to obtain Christ.

Paul utilized accounting jargon when he spoke of assets and liabilities. Everything he had previously regarded as a strength in order to follow God was now seen as a weakness in order to get to know Christ better. Paul undoubtedly lost his loved ones and friends, his prestigious position as a leading Pharisee, and his health because he was frequently assaulted and left hungry. But knowing Christ made all he lost worthwhile. He was prepared to cover the expense.

People had to always provide their best—their best lamb or crop—as part of the ideology underlying the Old Testament sacrifices. Anything less than the best wouldn’t be accepted by God. In Malachi 1, God chastises the Israelites for bringing him the blind and the lame rather than their best. Many Christians follow the same example since it is free to do so.

They have little interest in reading the Bible, attending church, or serving the church if it requires rising early. There are no fees. They give God their leftovers, but job, family, friends, and interests much outperform God. Without a doubt, many people reject the things they provide. Cain’s contribution was rejected by God because he only provided a portion of his harvest.

He got Abel’s because he offered the best, fattest pieces of his sacrifice (Gen 4).

Sacrifice-filled worship is the hallmark of the prosperous Christian life. What sacrifices is God asking you to make for his and others’ sakes?

We Need to View Death and Eternity Rightly if We Are to have a Successful Christian Journey

Because the moment for me to depart is rapidly approaching, I am already being poured out as an offering.

2 Timothy 4:6
Without a healthy perspective on death and eternity, it is impossible to live a successful Christian life. This is critical because your outlook on the future determines how you conduct your life today. A person will surely live for this world if they have no hope in heaven. In 1 Corinthians 15:32, Paul stated, “…If the dead are not revived,

Let’s eat and drink because tomorrow is our last day. He basically says, “Let’s live for pleasure here on earth if there is no resurrection.” Whether we are aware of it or not, how we interpret death and eternity influences how we live now. We will live for the present rather than for the future if heaven and eternity are not preferable to this life.

The term “depart” in verse 6 reveals Paul’s perspective on death and eternity. Literally, it denotes “uploosing.” 4 It paints a very clear picture in words and conveys a message about how we should perceive eternity and death.

The Greek word for “depart” conjures up what kinds of images? What does this mean for our perspective on eternity?

(1) Depart was a term used to free a ship. Paul compared life to being anchored to the ground while death to sailing off on a wonderful trip. If we are content with this life now, how much more will we be in eternity?

(2) Depart meant to set up one’s tent. Paul compares the physical body to a tent and the eternal body to a permanent home in 2 Corinthians 5:1–8. We live in weakened bodies that deteriorate with age and become ill and infirm. However, in eternity, our glorified bodies won’t get sick, become old, or pass away. Paul compares the current body to a seed and the everlasting body to a tree in 1 Corinthians 15. That is how the current body and the eternal body differ in glory. Death is the welcome to our heavenly home.

(3) Cattle were untied using the term depart. Paul’s entire life was spent working hard for God. But rest came with death. Write this down: “Blessed are the dead, those who die in the Lord from now on!” according to Revelation 14:13. Yes, the Spirit responds, “so they might take a break from their laborious job, for their works will follow them. Heavenly rest will be eternity. This does not imply that we will not work; on the contrary, we will use our talents to co-rule and serve the Lord. That work, though, will provide eternal delight and rest.

(4) A prisoner was released using the word depart. Paul was about to be executed while he was still in prison, but he didn’t view it as a punishment rather than a ticket to forever. He was a prisoner here on earth, but he would be set free in eternity. He was prevented from holiness and full relationship with God and others on earth, but in eternity, he was unrestricted in his ability to worship and know God, as well as others, and to live without sin. To pass away was to be freed.

(5) Depart was utilized as a problem-solving strategy. Paul had issues with his current state of being. He battled both his own and other people’s sin’s ramifications. But the only option was to perish. It meant to become like God and to be freed from sin.
When faced with the choice of dying or living during his first captivity, Paul used the same word in Philippians 1:23. I feel torn between the two, I replied, since I want to go and be with Christ, which is far better. Many Christians have this issue, which prevents them from leading a fruitful Christian life: they do not perceive eternity and paradise as being significantly superior to this life.

As a result, people miss out on spiritual chances in favor of pursuing success, advancement, and material stability. Some people lose their souls in the process of trying to gain the world. Others will have little chance of receiving spiritual rewards; rather than being big in God’s kingdom, they will be the least in it (Matthew. 5:19). They will never be able to proclaim, “Living is Christ and dying is gain,” like Paul did in Philippians 1:21, that eternity is by much greater for them.

Is leaving far superior? If not, it is impossible to have a fruitful Christian life. Instead of passing away triumphantly like Paul, a person will pass away filled with regrets: they ought to have evangelized, served God better, taught their family, sent more people on missions, and so on. They will be regretful to the point of death. What do you think about eternity and death? How you live now is constantly influenced by how you see the future.

We Must Constantly Fight for a Successful Christian Journey

I finished the race, I competed well, and I maintained my faith.

2 Tim. 4:7

Paul viewed the Christian life as a battle of the spirit; he claimed to have “competed well” or “fought the good fight.” Greek noun “agon” is related to the Greek word for “battle.” It is the origin of the words “agonizing” and “agony” in English. The phrase was frequently used to refer to sporting competitions like races or wrestling. 6 They required a lot of work and energy. Paul realized that his Christian life had been a constant battle ever since the day of his salvation.

What are the different facets of the spiritual battle that Christians are all fighting?

(1) In this spiritual conflict, we also battle against our bodily:

“To flee from fleshly impulses that war against the soul,” First Peter 2:11 instructs. Believers battle their lust, rage, pride, and even spiritual indifference on a daily basis. They have to struggle because their flesh doesn’t desire the things of God to study God’s Word and pray. Since their fallen nature enjoys sin, they must struggle to resist it. Paul said in Galatians 5 that our flesh lusts against the Spirit and the Spirit lusts against the flesh, preventing us from doing as we choose (v. 17-18).

Paul claimed in Romans 7 that he did both the things he wanted to do and the things he wouldn’t. Each and every successful Christian fights this battle. Success does not imply complete victory over these sins, but it does suggest that they will experience some success. It implies that they won’t remain down even if they fall. They continue to fight. The righteous, according to Proverbs 24:16, stumble seven times before rising again. That was Paul’s life; throughout it, he refused to give up. In order to be holy, he persisted in fighting against his flesh.

Successful Christians continue to struggle, in contrast to worldly Christians who follow their flesh and enjoy it instead of fighting.

Are you following your flesh or are you resisting it?

(2) Do not be conformed to this current world, but be changed by the renewing of your mind, advises Romans 12:2. The devil’s system, which governs the universe, aims to force everyone into the same mold. It teaches us about what is admirable, effective, respectable, and moral. It is a system independent of God and designed to entice people away from him and his purposes. The believer struggles to alter his conception of what is admirable, successful, socially acceptable, and moral.

In order to avoid seeming like the world but rather like God, the effective Christian constantly examines his ideas, what he reads, watches, and listens to against Scripture.

Are you resisting the world and its system or submitting to it?

(3) The battles in this spiritual conflict involve principalities and demons:

We fight not against “flesh and blood,” but rather “against the authorities, against the powers, against the world rulers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the skies,” as it says in Ephesians 6:12. The devil and his minions want to tempt, divert, harass, and annihilate Christians. They basically use the world and our bodies to accomplish this.

Due to spiritual conflict, Job lost his family, fortune, wealth, health, and tranquility. Paul was also fighting in this conflict. He stated in 2 Corinthians 2:11 that he did this “so that we may not be taken advantage of by Satan (because we are aware of his methods).” Paul was very conscious of his adversary, and so must we, should he outsmart us.

Do you know what the enemy’s plans are? Do you realize that he has sent demons to kill you? Are you fighting by donning God’s armor—a life of righteousness—and moving in his might via a constant connection with him (Eph 6:11–12)? According to James 4:7, “So submit to God. But if you push back against the devil, he will run away.

Paul observed a constant struggle in his life. He battled Satan, the world, and his own flesh. What William Hendriksen says of Paul’s struggle:

Fighting against Satan, the world’s rulers of this darkness in the heavenlies, the principalities and powers, Jewish and pagan vice and violence, fanaticism among the Thessalonians, fanaticism among the Corinthians, contention, fornication, and litigation among the Ephesians and Colossians, nascent Gnosticism among the Ephesians and Colossians, fightings from without and fears from within, and last but not least, fightings against the law of

We must fight this good fight until we enter into heaven or until Christ comes again. The battles must be waged till the very end even if the war was won on the cross. Will you be able to look back on your life and say, “I fought and struggled for Christ and his kingdom!”

We Must Persevere Until the End if We Are to Live a Successful Christian Journey

I finished the race, I competed well, and I maintained my faith.

2 Timothy 4:7
The race was “done,” according to Paul. Clearly, this event was a marathon rather than a sprint. From the time of Paul’s conversion in Damascus until his death in Rome, it took him more than thirty years to complete it. Race course is another way to translate the word “race.” Paul knew just which route to go. Paul was informed of some of the challenges he would encounter on the day Christ saved him by the Lord. While evangelizing to the Gentiles for Christ, he would face numerous persecutions (Acts 9).

We all belong to a different race. “Run with endurance the course that is set before us,” says Hebrews 12:1. Some people have huge highs and lows in life while others have straight, level, or hilly races. The apostle John lived to an advanced age while the other apostles passed away before him. Some people have short races while others have long races.

Whatever our race, we must finish it and not give up. We all know Christians who were formerly obedient to God but have since strayed, stopped following him, or are at the very least acting rebelliously. How can we obediently complete the race?

How do we faithfully complete the course as instructed in Hebrews 12:1-3?

Hebrews 12:1-3 gives us some tips on how to faithfully complete our course. It reads:

• We must therefore cast off all excess weight and the sin that clings to us so tightly and run the race that has been set before us with endurance, keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, in light of the large cloud of witnesses that surrounds us. He accepted the shame of the cross in exchange for the joy that was waiting for him, and as a result, he now sits at the right hand of God’s throne.
• To avoid becoming tired in your souls and giving up, keep in mind the fact that he overcame such hostility from sinners against himself.

(1) We must draw inspiration from other holy saints in order to diligently complete our course.

Because of this, the author of Hebrews refers the Jewish Christians who were considering abandoning their Christian faith and going back to Judaism to Chapter 11, which includes references to Abraham, Moses, Joshua, David, and other Christian heroes. The Jewish Christians would find encouragement to carry on by reading their brief histories.

Similar to this, we must take great inspiration from the tales of biblical heroes in order to run our course with faithfulness. However, we must also consider the devoted Christians in our community as well as the biblical heroes (Philippians 3:17). Their examples will motivate us to finish the race.

(2) We must eliminate all obstacles if we are to faithfully complete our race.

We must get rid of every burden and the sin that clings to us so tightly, according to the author of Hebrews (v. 1). The words “every weight” and “sin” are separated and set apart, indicating that they are two distinct concepts. The phrase “every weight” can refer to both good and not-so-good things that prevent us from being obedient to our Lord. It may include things like entertainment, a job, hobbies, and relationships that hinder or divert us rather than advancing us. All obstacles, especially sin, which readily entangles us, must be brutally removed.

(3) we must put Christ first if we want to faithfully complete our race:

Hebrews’ author exhorts Jewish Christians to keep their eyes fixed on Jesus so they won’t get weary and lose heart (v. 2-3). I often consider giving up during my race. I sometimes question my ability to finish the work God has given me to do. The ministry can be challenging and extremely demoralizing.

When I experience that, I frequently realize that I have turned away from Christ and am instead concentrating on the challenges of service rather than the One who called me to it—Jesus. The main key to enduring in our various races is that. Keeping in mind that Christ was the forerunner (or author) of our faith,

He will support us as we persevere. To avoid losing heart, we must concentrate on him.

Have you lost all hope? Do you have the want to give up? Refocus your attention on your Savior by engaging in worship and fellowship with him; he will sustain you.

Have you ever had moments where you wanted to give up on your faith or the ministry God has called you to?

How do you maintain your spiritual balance so that you can finish the race?

We Have to Faithfully Steward God’s Word If We Want to Have a Successful Christian Journey

I finished the race, I competed well, and I maintained my faith.

2.7 Timothy
What does it mean for Paul to have “kept the faith”?

Paul viewed himself as a trustworthy steward of the religion near the conclusion of his life. The word “faith” is preceded by an article in the Greek original, just like it is in the English. This suggests that when we talk about “faith,” we probably don’t mean “confidence in God,” but rather “the faith’s” teachings. The term “have kept” in the sentence implies “watching over, heeding, or preserving” in Greek. 9 It is clear from Paul’s writings that this was one of his main interests. Take a look at the following passages:

We should be viewed as Christ’s servants and custodians of the divine mysteries. Now, what is desired in stewards is that one be thought to be trustworthy.

1-2 in 1 Corinthians
Through the Holy Spirit who is within us, guard the good that has been given to you.

Revelation 2:14
Timothy, guard the things that have been given to you. Steer clear of the obscene talk and nonsense of so-called “knowledge.”

Timothy 1:16
Paul accomplished precisely that; his writings are jam-packed with refutations of incorrect theology. His story depicts him giving the Bible to others so they might protect it. He was an obedient steward of the Word of God, and so must we.

How can believers maintain the trust that has been placed in them?

How can Christians maintain the faith that has been given to them?

(1) I haven’t strayed from his commands, and I’ve appreciated his words more than my given share, according to Job 23:12. The majority of Christians simply don’t value the Bible enough to read, study, or teach it.

They value other things—entertainment, social media, education, employment, friendships, etc.—over the Word of God. We must first treasure something before we can protect it.John MacArthur tells a stirring tale that emphasizes the value we should place on God’s Word.

The story of a little French girl who was born blind is beautiful and moving. A friend sent her a copy of the gospel of Mark in Braille when she mastered touch reading.

She read it so much that her fingertips become hypersensitive and calloused. She cut the flesh off the tips of her fingers in an effort to regain feeling. Tragically, though, her callouses were replaced by permanent and much more insensitive scars. She kissed the book goodbye while sobbing and uttered the words, “Farewell, farewell, precious word of my heavenly Father.” As a result, she spent the rest of her life using her lips to read her priceless gem because she realized that they were much more delicate than her fingers had been.

(2) By continuing to hold onto their faith, believers:

Even though it should go without saying, many Christians reject the authority of the Bible (John 3:32-33). They disagree with what it says regarding homosexuality, gender roles, abortion, and a variety of other matters. We can’t protect it if we don’t believe the Word.

(3) Those who adhere to the law uphold their faith:

The word “kept,” as previously mentioned, can also indicate to heed or obey. People will turn away from what we profess if we don’t follow the Word. Instead of bringing them to Christ, we scatter them (Luke 11:23). Do you abide by God’s Word?

(4) Faith is maintained via study by believers:

It cannot be guarded if we are unaware of what it teaches. Study to verify your approval, 2 Timothy 2:15 in the King James Version reads. God is pleased with people who read and reflect on his Word. He favors them and transforms them into trees that give fruit in season and flourish in all things (Psalm 1:2-3).

Do you consistently read God’s Word?

(5) By teaching others, believers maintain their faith:

And commit what you heard me say in front of many others as witnesses to faithful people who will be qualified to teach others as well, Second Timothy 2:2 states. Four generations of Christians are depicted in this passage: Paul, Timothy, dependable people, and others. The loss of the faith is always just one generation away. If we don’t pass it on to others, we aren’t protecting the faith—instead, we help it disappear.

Are you teaching people about God’s Word?

(6) By defending it against erroneous teaching, believers uphold their religion:

According to Jude 1:3, “Dear Friends, although I have been eager to write to you about our common salvation, I now feel obligated to write to encourage you to battle vigorously for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints.” Since its inception in the Garden of Eden, Satan has opposed and perverted God’s Word, and he continues to do so today.

He rejects the idea that the Bible is infallible, telling others that it is rife with mistakes and should not be trusted. He asserts that salvation is not possible by faith alone but also through baptism, almsgiving, and other deeds.

By challenging Satan’s lies and rescuing others from them, believers preserve the truth.

Anyone who preached a different gospel, according to Paul, was cursed (Gal 1:8). In contrast to many people today, he did not make concessions in the name of tolerance or unity, leaving the door open for the adversary.

Are you abiding by God’s Word? We must faithfully manage God’s Word and pass it on, unadulterated, to the following generation if we are to live fruitful Christian lives.

To Have a Successful Christian Journey, We Must Seek God’s Approval

I will finally receive the crown of righteousness. In that day, the Lord, the righteous Judge, will grant it to me, as well as to everyone else whose hearts have been fixed on seeing him.

What does Paul mean when he says he will receive “the crown of righteousness”? 2 Timothy 4:8.

Paul hopes to receive a crown of righteousness as a prize from God. This crown is controversial because it can be interpreted linguistically as either a genitive of source, which would suggest that Paul receives the crown as payment for his righteousness, or as a genitive of apposition, which would mean that righteousness itself is the crown Paul would receive.

According to the first view, only a select group of believers—those who have lived particularly good lives—will be granted this crown. In the second perspective, everyone will get this crown since righteousness is the crown. Christ gave us his righteousness when we were saved, and when we go to paradise, he will give us total righteousness. Sin will no longer be a battle for us.

What evidence backs up these two viewpoints?

(1) According to proponents of the first viewpoint, the term “crown” in question does not refer to a royal crown but rather to a victor’s crown (stephanos). It was a wreath awarded to athletes who won competitions or battles. Only the victors received this crown, not everyone. But just one wins the prize, Paul said in 1 Corinthians 9:24. So run to win.

This statement alludes to an imperishable crown. This imperishable crown appears to be something that was earned. This doesn’t appear to line up with the idea that everyone is given this crown because of Christ’s finished work and without our own effort.

Scripture often emphasizes the existence of rewards. Christ instructed his followers to invest their wealth in heaven rather than on earth in Matthew 6:19. In a previous section of chapter 6, he forewarns people against performing good activities like giving, praying, and fasting for the wrong reasons because they risk forfeiting their blessings. Similar to this, Paul describes how every believer’s works will be judged on the day of Christ’s judgment; some will receive reward and others will lose reward. This is discussed in 1 Corinthians 3.

In reality, Christ declares in Matthew 5:19 that those who uphold God’s laws and instruct others in doing the same will be referred to as great in the kingdom of heaven, while those who disregard God’s laws and instruct others in doing the same will be referred to as least.

The goal of living a good life is reward, which is when God says to a believer, “Well done, good and loyal servant,” in reference to their lives. Scripture says that Christians will be rewarded for their good actions while others will face loss of reward, whether or not the crown of righteousness is a recompense for living a blameless life.

(2) According to proponents of the second perspective, Paul’s statement that “those who have fixed their affection on his appearing” will receive this crown seems to pertain to all believers since they all desire for Christ’s second coming. It could be argued against this point of view that not all Christians will hunger for Christ’s return in the same way, if at all.

It seems obvious that those who live worldly lives will not long for Christ’s coming as they should given that Scripture labels some Christians as worldly, as Paul did with the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 3:1), and also states that some will experience loss of reward—getting into heaven as though escaping through fire (1 Corinthians 3:15).

They might even be afraid of it because they are not walking with God, much like disobedient kids are afraid of their parents coming back for them.

In either case, Paul undoubtedly found solace at the knowledge that even though the evil officials in Rome would condemn him, Christ would judge him fairly. Paul always kept the “day” of Christ’s just judgment in mind. He said this in 2 Corinthians 5:9–10:

So we make it our goal to satisfy him whether we are present or not. Because each of us will stand before Christ’s judgment seat, we will all be held accountable for our actions—both good and bad—during our time in the body.

Always keeping in mind the Lord’s ultimate judgment is a good idea. Will my acts make God happy? Will I glorify my Lord with my words and thoughts? Paul’s desire to please God and receive his honor was undoubtedly confirmed in his heart by the amazing work of God’s Spirit.

He felt God would ultimately repay him as he awaited death. Ones where we shall hear, “Well done, well done, my good and faithful servant,” are the lives God will finally reward. We will present our crowns and awards to the Lord, just like the twenty-four elders in Revelation 4, because all of our accolades are a result of his atoning and sanctifying mercy (v. 10).

Finally

How can a Christian life be successful? Paul’s triumphant speech at the conclusion of his life offers us guidance on how to successfully complete each of our personal races.

• We Need to Train Others to Be Successful Christians

• We need to live sacrificially if we want to live a successful Christian life.

• We Need to View Death and Eternity Rightly if We Are to Live a Successful Christian Life

• We Must Constantly Fight for a Successful Christian Life

• We Have to Stay the Course if We Want to Live a Successful Christian Life

• We Have to Faithfully Steward God’s Word If We Want to Live a Successful Christian Life

• We Need to Seek God’s Permission in Order to Lead Successful Christian Lives