Foreword
Foreword
The apostle Paul brought his old self to a proper end and began his new self. He regarded “whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ” (Phil 3:5–9) and counted them as rubbish for Christ. Therefore he confessed, “even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor, yet I was shown mercy,” and that he had become a faithful servant (1 Tim 1:13).
Paul was firm in putting off the old self and its deeds. He crucified the old self with Jesus Christ on the cross (Rom 6:6; Gal 2:20; 5:24; Phil 3:5–9). Therefore, he had nothing to boast about except the cross (Gal 6:14). We also must bring our sinful old self to a clear end. That end can only take place at the cross. Turn away from the old self and bury it completely; if you bury it poorly, the old self will reappear. The cross is the final destination where all sin ends, and it is the starting point where the new self begins (Gal 2:20). The cross is the only holy place where we can fully end our sinful past. Let us completely put the old self to death.
Do you truly love the church? Even when you serve the church, finish it well. When Paul left the church at Ephesus after ministering for three years, he said that he was innocent of the blood of all men (Acts 20:26). He did not discourage souls or drive them into death, but entrusted them to the word of His grace, prayed together with them, and he departed there with worship and tears (Acts 20:32–35).
Paul also won the battle of overcoming evil with good. He ran while facing unspeakable hard- ships. It was a long-distance race. Enduring what was unbearable, he clenched his teeth, fixed his eyes ahead, and ran. Having run to the end without stopping, he waited in Rome to receive his crown of victory, “the crown of righteousness” (2 Tim 4:8). He guarded his faith as a woman guards her purity. He was not shaken by human cunning or human words, his faith remained full, and the heart that longed for the Lord did not fade. With what kind of heart are you and I waiting? What a joyful and fully satisfying harvest this is at the end of human life.
Beloved saints, may we all end well in faith, overcoming the world, ourselves, the devil, and death through Jesus Christ, and reach a victorious ending.
July 20, 1994 | Wednesday Sermon
“When Will My End Be? Let Us Finish Well” (2 Timothy 4:7–8; 2 Peter 1:5–11)
By Rev. Abraham Park
- 25년 12월호