Enjoy Life, Enjoy God

THREE

January 20, 2011

Sermons, it was taught, were to have three points, a poem, and a prayer. Life comes at us in three's, it seems. Trinitarian coincidence?

But 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 the that day...
                                                   - 2 Timothy 4:7,8 TNIV

Coincidence at best, I think. But look at the three "I have's."
1. Fought the good fight
2. Finished the race
3. Kept the faith

As Paul wraps up his letter to Timothy, and his life, these three "I have's" are a triumph. He has the great confidence that he's lived a life of substance, and more importantly, a life of faithfulness to Jesus Christ. As a result, he sees the reward nearly in his grasp, a victor's crown, not a crummy gold crown, but one of righteousness.

It's not too late for us to live into such confidence and triumph. Yet, it may require re-thinking about the "I have's" we're pursuing.

Joyfully,

Dale Patterson