I was worth it

2 Timothy 2:10
{10} For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.

There are those among us who are willing to let people see them as they really are. They are authentic and real, an open book for others to read. One cannot read the text of 2 Timothy without noticing a personal insight in the heart of the Apostle Paul. From his emotional trip down memory lane in Chapter one when he remembers the family and tears of his protégé, Timothy, to the final passage when he asks Timothy to bring his cloak to him, 2 Timothy offers an open glimpse into the personality of one of history’s greatest men. This verse is an intimate testimony. That might be interesting, but that is not the most important thing in this verse for me.

There are those among us who are willing to make some sacrifices. The all things statement which describes the various things Paul endured would entail a lengthy list of difficulties. Paul endured a loss of social position, his freedom, and his own personal desires. In Philippians 3 he lists many of his accomplishments in the Hebrew religion and the high position he held in the minds of many. Such pieties he counted as dung. Paul lost it all to follow Jesus. That is the story of a great sacrifice, but that is not the most important thing in this verse for me.

There are those among us who will do heroic things. There are those among us who will act at a moment’s notice to risk everything for a great cause or for the life of another. But Paul’s courage and sacrifice is of a totally different level. There is no surprise concerning his impending death. He knew it was coming. His death was not a spur of the moment event, he did not embrace it as an instantaneous moment of truth decision like a soldier who throws himself on a grenade to save his comrades. We must understand that his death was a journey upon which he had taken many steps toward the ultimate sacrifice of his life. For many years of his missionary work, Paul could have quit preaching. He probably could not have returned to his position among the Jews, but there is no doubt that he could have found some obscure location where he could embrace the peace and tranquility of retirement. Instead, of spending his last days celebrating the laurels of the past he pressed on for the high calling of following his Lord even unto death. That sounds pretty dramatic, but that is not the most important thing in this verse for me.

The most important thing in this verse for me is not the realness of Paul, nor his sacrifice, or even the heroic giving of himself in death. The most important and blessed thing in this verse is Paul’s motive. Paul did what he did so those of us who are of the chosen today would have the opportunity to … obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory. Paul did what he did for me. In his eyes and heart, even though he never knew me – I was worth it. You were worth it. We all were worth it.

Many of us show a deep lack of spiritual maturity in our personal quests for success. We want what we want and we want it now with little thought about those who are around us and even less thought for those who will come after us. Think about a believer with a passion that burns hot enough to do whatever is necessary to ensure the proclamation of the gospel for the future. Think about a believer who dreams of the salvation of future converts that will be born into this world long after he himself has departed from it. Paul was such a believer. May God grant that such believers live again among us.

To Paul and all the other heroes of my faith, thank you for what you did for me.

PRAYER
Lord, instill within me the responsibility I must show to those who will come after me. Let me not view my church, my ministry, or any of the blessings you have given as only for me to enjoy. Always keep me aware that the gospel you have placed in my hands for safekeeping must be relayed to the generations of the future. May those who come behind me find me faithful. In Jesus’ name, Amen.