For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. 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 that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.  2 Timothy 4:6 – 8

Did it occur to you that the great Apostle Paul, as he approached death, did not point to what he accomplished?  How many churches did he plant himself or helped others to plant?  Who was an advocate for bringing Gentile believers into the fellowships of Jesus Christ’s followers? Who suffered at the hands of his own Jewish people and now is in the hands of the great Roman Empire, about to be killed by them?  Who articulated in his letters the great fundamentals of the Gospel that opened the door of salvation to all who would believe, Jew or Gentile, bond or free, white or colored? Paul, of course.

I could go on.  In a way, Paul was fantastically successful as a disciple.  He planted innumerable churches, brought many men and women to faith, blended cultures into communities of those who love Jesus.  Extraordinary!  He has plenty to boast about.  But he is surprisingly humble.  As he faced the end of his life and ministry he grasped his Savior in a tighter embrace than ever.  That is what mattered!

Instead of listing his outstanding achievements he said, simply, “I have fought the good fight.”  He does not list his enemies. “I have finished the race.”  He does not list the names of those he outran. “I have kept the faith.”  He does not mention those who fell away.  He received the Gospel by the grace of God and he kept that very Gospel of grace until the end.

There is not one note of boasting about his achievements. His greatest accomplishment is being true to his Lord and Savior. In our glimpse into heaven in the Book of Revelation, those who are there do not impress one another or God with their achievements.  They all fall down before the Lamb in adoration and praise.

Paul is one of many who have been rescued by Jesus, now about to receive the crown of God’s grace, not a crown because of his own achievements or theirs.

I have written some on my life.  I tried to retell my faults and joys.  In actual fact I should just be content in knowing that I am blessed to be among those, of all generations, who love to see Jesus Christ. All the rest is in His hands.