2 Timothy 4. The Apostle Paul is wrapping up both this letter to Timothy and his ministry, as the end of his life draws near. There were some interesting notes in his greetings and comments at the end of this letter:

Do your best to come to me soon. For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica (4:9-10). Ah Demas, who loved this present world too much – more than he loved Paul or the cause of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Demas, who chose his own comforts and pleasures instead of staying the course and following Jesus and the work of ministry.

Who do you know that is like Demas, in love with the things of the world more than Jesus? What part of your own soul is like Demas – drawn to the priorities, comforts, and pleasures of this world? I think perhaps there is something in all of us that is tempted by such things. Better we acknowledge what tempts us and consider why, than we ignore it and find it draws us ever out to sea like a rip tide.

Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds (4:14). Now I am curious what happened between Paul and the coppersmith! Yet whatever it was, no matter how grievous the offense, Paul left justice in the hands of the Lord. This is a remarkable stance for Paul to take – in line with Jesus’ teachings – but it still very counter-cultural. I find that my heart usually wishes for justice to be enacted swiftly and publicly when I believe myself to have been wronged… but Paul simply says the Lord will repay him. Nothing to worry about here, the Lord will sort it out.

At my first defense no one came to stand by me, all have deserted me. May it not be charged against them (4:16). Lonely. Abandoned. Without ministry partners or people to encourage him. I would have wallowed in self-pity and discouragement; and then probably asked the Lord to repay them. Instead, Paul asks that the Lord not hold desertion against them. Paul asks that grace be extended to others who have failed him. There is no sense of vengeance or repayment here, only mercy because times were tough, and the people just could not hang in there with Paul. Wow.

The Lord stood by me and strengthened me… So, I was rescued… The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen (4:17-18). Paul has complete confidence in the Lord.

Paul’s final charge to Timothy? I charge you… Preach the word: Be ready in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching (4:2). This is the thing that matters – preaching the word faithfully.

And then Paul signs off… The time of my departure has come…I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith (4:6-7).

As we think about Paul’s life and how he finished well, I wonder how will I finish the endurance race of the Christian life? How will you finish? What distractions are there? What might keep you from finishing well? How does your life and speech preach the word? (That’s not just for preachers, you know!)