In times of trial, we fight – we struggle while we continue to have faith in God but after defeat how do we feel? Do we fall or do we continue to remain faithful?
2 Timothy 4:6-8
For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:
Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Aug 23, 2010 – Manila-Philippines, Rolando Mendoza, a disgruntled former Manila police officer died along with eight of his hostages and some were critically wounded. The hostage negotiation ended in a “bloody carnage” as described by GMA7 news article.
According to Mendoza’s colleagues, he was a good cop and a decorated officer. They were all unable to believe that he could do such a thing. According to GMA7 news, the reason behind his actions was because he demanded his reinstatement to the police. He recently faced charges of misconduct at the Office of the Ombudsman and was dismissed from his service due to charges of extortion and illegal arrest. We don’t know if Mendoza is guilty of these accusations but we can see that he did not end his service faithfully.
Paul, knowing his near death, remained faithful and his departing words continue to inspire us Christians – I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Even knowing the dangers of his actions, he continued to fight – not with violence but with faith and his legacy remained as encouragement to the people, to us Christians. With Mendoza’s case, his legacy was he strike fear among the people. His allegiance to the very people he tried to protect once was just now a reminder or a warning of how people can fall far from covering sin or protecting ones pride.
Paul’s death may be a failure as it seems, but the life that he had lived was a success. His remaining days weren’t a failure because he became a great example of how we can remain faithful till the end. How we can fight a good fight and how we can finish our course with faith in our Lord.
Before we leave this world, can we confidently say “I am now ready to be offered”? By saying this, we are also confident that we can offer our bodies a living sacrifice to God. (Romans 12:1 – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.)
Let us be like Paul in having confidence and in his trust to the Lord. Let our legacy be a hope and encouragement to others so before we leave this place and be with the Lord, our legacy will be our faithful exit.
