Paul's Final Days
Chapter 30
The Anchor of Paul’s Life
“Never be ashamed to tell others about our Lord. And don’t be ashamed of me, either, even though I’m in prison for him. With the strength God gives you, be ready to suffer with me for the sake of the Good News.
For God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was his plan from before the beginning of time—to show us his grace through Christ Jesus. 10 And now he has made all of this plain to us by the appearing of Christ Jesus, our Savior. He broke the power of death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the Good News. 11 And God chose me to be a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of this Good News.
That is why I am suffering here in prison. But I am not ashamed of it, for I know the one in whom I trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return. 2 Timothy 1:8-12(NLT)
Paul spent his final days in Prison in the 60’s in Rome. Tradition tells us that he died by beheading probably/perhaps during emperor Nero’s persecution about 64 AD. There is some speculation that Paul was imprisoned in Rome in the early 60’s, was released, made his way to Spain, returned to Rome where he was re-arrested and then executed. But this is speculation.
Paul’s final correspondence (we call his correspondences epistles, Romans through 2 Timothy of the New Testament) was to the young man he mentored, Timothy. In this letter Paul encourages Timothy not to quit, to never give up, to stay on task with The Message.
Prayer
“Father I wonder what my final words to my loved ones will be. May you so guide my life that my words will echo those of Paul, 'I am not ashamed of the Gospel. I know the One whom I trust, and I am sure he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him until the day of his return.' Amen"
Romans 1:16
ReplyDelete"I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes..."
John 17:11
Jesus speaking:
"Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name-the name you gave me-so that they may be one as we are one"
I feel the challenge to many of us today, in a world of 'political correctness', is to avoid coming to a place where saying the very name, Jesus, becomes a thing we're hesitant to do.
We are so blessed that we live in a country where we can openly speak of Christ. But yet, I think there are situations in our lives where we may feel a pressure, false or true that tells us "Shhh, not so loud".
Certainly Peter understood this (albeit for a much more intense reason than most of us in America experience). He was forgiven AND emboldened.
There is power in the name of Jesus and I pray that, personally and corporately that we are never afraid to speak that name, that we will feel His Presence and look the enemy in the eye and say, "No, you won't keep me quiet, not for one minute".
"Help us, Lord, embolden us and give us courage. We praise you, Father, thank you, Jesus."