A famous epitaph that doubles as a pun can be found in the Boothill Graveyard in Tombstone, Arizona (US). It reads, “HERE LIES LESTER MOORE, FOUR SLUGS FROM A 44, NO LES NO MORE.” The Wells, Fargo & Co. station agent died in an Old-West gun battle with another man in the late 1800s.
Some 18 centuries earlier, the apostle Paul wrote his own “epitaph.” In an apparent final letter written prior to his martyrdom in Rome, the apostle penned these words to his protégé Timothy: “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of His return” (2 Timothy 4:7-8). Paul’s summation of his life must have been a challenge and encouragement to Timothy, just as it is to us nearly two millennia later.
One day, if you and I were to write our own epitaph, may we find that these three words best described our time on earth: Offering—Paul described his life as a sacrifice poured out “to God” (2 Timothy 4:6); faithful—The apostle could rightly declare that he had faithfully fought to proclaim his belief in Jesus wherever he went (2 Timothy 4:7); expectation—In anticipation of being with Jesus and receiving a victor’s “crown of righteousness,” Paul’s days were filled with purpose—the passionate words and actions of one who eagerly awaited being with his Savior forever (2 Timothy 4:8).
Are we living purposeful lives for Christ today? Paul wrote, “The prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8). Far better than a well-worded epitaph, our living, loving Lord gives us the hope and strength we need to live for Him today!
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Mark 10:1-16
More:
Read 1 Cor. 3:10-15 and think about what the foundation of your life is made of and how it will affect the words of your epitaph.
Next:
Which believers in Jesus do you know will one day deserve words of honor on their epitaphs? What marks their life and character? How are you growing in your faith and the proclaiming of it?
ecclesiastes on August 23, 2016 at 5:08 am
But before writing our epitaph, at the beginning of each day we need to ask ourselves a simple question: what does God want me to do today. Then at the end of the day we can review how far we have succeeded in fulfilling God’s calling during the day. That way we can see whether we can say with St Paul “I have fought the good fight, and remained faithful” We can also see what needs to be corrected.
Tom Felten on August 23, 2016 at 1:55 pm
Good thoughts, ecclesiastes. And to add a slight change, it’s great to pray and ask, “God, what do you want me to do today?”
Gary Shultz on August 23, 2016 at 6:14 am
Nicely said there ecclesiastes, as Tom references in the last paragraph. As we consider our lives and examine how they will add up we look at a total picture of our lives and the total is formulated by that daily and continual walk with God. Each day a step in the “path of righteousness” , each day the opportunity to live toward God, each day to walk as did Jesus in the light of God’s love, and to be be like Him. Many times it is enough to get up and know how much God loves us. The day is more easier walked with the love of Christ securing our place some day with the Father. I guess it’s nice to have something written here, but I’m much happier with a name in “the book” in heaven. “To finish well” indeed! Thanks Tom, WBP
Tom Felten on August 23, 2016 at 1:56 pm
I agree, Gary. And what a gift it is to have the Holy Spirit empowering and guiding us in the journey!
gagirllive on August 23, 2016 at 8:05 am
Amen, Tom. This is beautiful. In terms of rewards, the way I’ve lived the dash—that line between the date of my birth and death—will be far more important than what’s written on my tombstone. Loving God, loving others—that is the summary of my daily devotion to flesh out my faith. I love Paul’s admonition to the Philippian church in chapter 1 verse 11 (NLT). “May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation— those good things that are produced in your life by Jesus Christ—for this will bring much glory and praise to God.” The life of Christ lived through me is my only desire. I often get in the way, but I praise God that He continues His work in and through me. For me, I can’t think of a better epitaph on my tombstone than “God is faithful. Philippians 1: 6”. Thanks, Tom, for this encouragement today.
sandy229 on August 23, 2016 at 10:45 am
Amen GAgirl 🙂
Tom Felten on August 23, 2016 at 1:58 pm
Great summary, gagirl—love God, love others!
sandy229 on August 23, 2016 at 10:50 am
We are to live a life Holy and acceptable to God, but sometimes we don’t live up to this because we think we can make it on on own, but then we fail. The only way to live a Holy life acceptable to God is to let Him live through us, that way, we won’t listen to our selfish desires. I agree with GAgirl, what matters most is the way we’ve lived the dash, which is far more important than what is written on our tombstone.
Tom Felten on August 23, 2016 at 1:59 pm
You’re right, Sandy. We can’t do this on our own. Only as we submit to God and walk in His wisdom and power will we see our lives lived for His glory and honor.
hsnpoor on August 25, 2016 at 11:29 am
Amen, Sandy, Amen! Well said and so true….
sandy229 on August 23, 2016 at 12:37 pm
Some people mistakenly assume that once they become children of God, all their struggles are over which then as the pressures mount, they lose heart. Paul described his Christian life as a struggle and he could only continue because he persevered. He had to struggle at times to be faithful to God because he faced persecution, misunderstanding, betrayal, an death threats. Paul’s christian life was anything but easy, but he persevered.
Your faith in God is not proven by beginning the race but by enduring to the finish. We should live our life in a way that one day we can conclude, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith!”
Shalom
gagirllive on August 23, 2016 at 1:40 pm
Amen, Sandy! I have to remind myself often that God not only wants me to finish the race but run to win! Just last weekend my pastor said that as we grow older in Christ it’s not so much the sins that trip us up but rather the weights that slow us down that keep us from finishing the race. I find myself having to constantly throw off weights—nothing bad in themselves but things that are cumbersome to my making spiritual progress. No doubt some of us will be limping across the finish line, but I want to finish strong. I’m not sure that I will though. There are days when I’m just so faint-hearted!
sandy229 on August 23, 2016 at 1:43 pm
I’m with you there 🙂
hsnpoor on August 25, 2016 at 11:32 am
Some of the strongest saints I’ve known are elders on their knees. They may need some help getting up, but once up, one would do well to get outta their way!
sandy229 on August 25, 2016 at 11:36 am
LOL 🙂
Tom Felten on August 23, 2016 at 3:16 pm
Sandy, your insightful comments reminded of Jesus’ parable of the farmer scattering seed (Matthew 13:3-23). Praying that all of our faith will be found in fertile soil and that it will result in an abundant harvest by God’s power and provision!
minkjh on August 23, 2016 at 5:08 pm
Tom, I like the fact that you tied in the I Corinthians 3 selection with your posting for today. Paul reinforces the fact that we are to be co-laborers with Christ, and if we read a bit further in the chapter we’ll uncover the degree of permanence for building upon the ultimate foundation. We should strive as the Apostle did, to build with gold, silver, and precious stones and avoid wood, hay, and straw. The key is to persevere and finish well no matter the circumstances we encounter throughout the construction of our epitaph. Paul’s faithfulness in spite of his II Corinthians 11:24-29 ordeal ties in perfectly with his final thoughts to Timothy as you splendidly noted with offering/faithfulness/expectation.
Tom Felten on August 24, 2016 at 8:25 am
Good insights, minkjh. I’ve been reading a book by Francis and Lisa Chan titled “You and me Forever.” In the book, they point us to Christ and to the reality of us living with expectation of what it will be like to be with Him—even when our circumstances are difficult. What an amazing hope we have in Jesus!
hsnpoor on August 25, 2016 at 11:33 am
Indeed!
BearPair on August 23, 2016 at 5:14 pm
Amen! Thanks, Tom, for the challenge to excellence, in so doing writing our own epitaph!
Tom Felten on August 24, 2016 at 8:21 am
So grateful for the Holy Spirit, BearPair. Without the Spirit’s work in my life, striving to live for and please God would be impossible!
johnswanson on August 23, 2016 at 6:12 pm
I am an old man and have not done very well with my life. I hope in these last years and I will do better, and that God will guide me in everything and that I will make the right choices.
minkjh on August 23, 2016 at 7:03 pm
Finish well johnswanson! When we compare ourselves to the holiness and righteousness of our Lord we all miss the mark completely. The man who penned much of the New Testament was a formidable opponent and persecutor of early believers and regarded himself as the chief of sinners. Ultimately he became the instrument God used to bring the message of salvation to the Gentile world. My prayer is not only for you to continue to believe in God but also that you believe God and entrust your life to His Son.
johnswanson on August 23, 2016 at 8:58 pm
Thank you, Mink.
sandy229 on August 23, 2016 at 7:25 pm
Shalom John…..my prayers are with you.
johnswanson on August 23, 2016 at 8:59 pm
Thank you, Sandy.
Tom Felten on August 24, 2016 at 8:20 am
Praying for you John . . . God’s grace will provide all you need as you seek Him and rest in Him. May your heart be filled with praise for Him today!
johnswanson on August 24, 2016 at 11:21 am
Thank you, Tom.
youssef1777 on August 23, 2016 at 8:21 pm
WITH LORD WHO LOVE ME AND GAVE HIM SELF FOR ME . MAKE ME FINISH MY TASK . PRAISE TO YOU MY LORD FOR BE WITH ME ALL THE TIME . AMEN .
peejesusc on August 24, 2016 at 12:58 am
AMEN.
Tom Felten on August 24, 2016 at 8:22 am
Amen!