By David Ettinger
Nearing the End
His days were down to a precious few. As the apostle Paul languished in a dark, dank, and dreary Roman dungeon, he thought of his beloved adopted son Timothy.

In fact, he was endeavoring to put the final touches on his last epistle, that to Timothy, the leader of the church in Ephesus. Appropriately, the letter Paul was writing would eventually be known as “2 Timothy.”
Paul had spent three-fourths of the letter giving his young charge spiritual and practical advice, and then, toward the end, he diverged briefly to tell Timothy something very personal. Knowing his time on Earth was all but over, Paul briefly looked back over the course of His Christian walk, and with great passion declared:
For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 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 to me on that day – and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing (2 Timothy 4:6-8).
In this pronouncement, Paul established for every believer in the Lord Jesus the ultimate personal goal he or she should aspire to.
What It Means
In making this proclamation, Paul was in no way being arrogant or cocky. Rather, he was stating a quiet and confident truth which was forged in blood, sweat, and tears. He had lived the true Christian life – laying that life on the line numerous times and often barely escaping with it.

Paul knew that as death hung over him – he died shortly following penning 2 Timothy – he had done everything God had asked of him. He had devoted his life to His Lord and Savior, bringing the Gospel to multitudes, and always at the cost of his own wants, comforts, and desires. If there was ever a man who was “sold out” to God, it was Paul.
Because of it – because he had fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith – God assured him that his place in Heaven was waiting for him, and that he would be greatly rewarded when he arrived.
My Ultimate Goal
My ultimate goal is that when it comes to the day of my departure from this earth, I will be able to speak these same words. Of course I have other desires, particularly that all of my loved ones and friends come to know Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, but this is my greatest personal goal.
In saying this, I understand that being able to proclaim that I have fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith means that I have a lived my entire Christian life without straying from God’s presence and will. Of course I have stumbled – we all do – but so far in 34 years, I have never turned away from God. Yes, I have sinned and not always obeyed Him as I should, but I have endured in Him.

But though life is short, it is also long when viewed as something which needs to be lived day by day, hour by hour, and moment by moment. Each moment contains spiritual pitfalls and dangers which threaten to hijack our walks with Christ. Temptation daily hounds the believer, and pressures of a God-hating world often wage war on our fortitude and desire to serve Him.
This is why Paul’s marvelous profession is so encouraging and fortifying. I know I will never face the challenges Paul did, but I can use his life – his very words – as the foundation on which to build my own. To do what Paul says – to fight the good fight, finish the race, and keep the faith – means shaping my life in order to accomplish it.
Paul’s proclamation is the desire of my life, and my ultimate goal. I hope it is yours as well!
Bruce Cooper
July 7, 2020
Hi David, Paul’s witness is one that is definitely “sold” on Jesus, pretty hard to miss that. Next to Jesus, Paul is the one I most look forward to meeting although Abraham, Moses and David are really close 2nds. Can you imagine being able to meet everyone that you’ve read about! Not sure what is lower than a pawn but what ever it is, I’d be one of them. Blessings.
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dettinger47
July 7, 2020
I agree, Bruce. Meeting and talking to these individuals will be amazing!
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heavensreef
July 7, 2020
I so look forward to meeting all the great ones, the Saints. It will be “heaven” just to speak with them and say I have been reading all about you so much, that I feel I know you!! But most of all, I cannot even comprehend meeting JESUS!! I am sure that being in HIS presence for the first time will stun us. But I don’t think there are any words around that will describe our meeting HIM! I pray we all stay strong in the race, diligent in prayer and fervent in faith
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Blue Collar Theologian
July 7, 2020
I pray I can say the same thing!
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Lisa Beth
July 8, 2020
Important post here David.
The words of the Apostles and other spiritual leaders contemplating death is so meaningful. They were so detached from this world, from possessions, ambitions, and even their own body! (Peter called it a tent!) I want that freedom too, and strive to loosen my grip upon the temporal and hopefully grasp what the Lord has for me.
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dettinger47
July 8, 2020
Well said, Lisa Beth. That’s a great way to look at it. Our tendency, unfortunately, is to want more of this world.
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ken riddles
July 12, 2020
Amen. 🙏🏼
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