Christians can stand up to life without defeat and accept death without fear. They are ready to live and they are ready to die. The apostle Paul expressed this kind of confidence when he said, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand” (2 Timothy 4:6). Here is a man standing on the brink of eternity, shaking hands with death, and saying all the while, “I am ready.” There is no fear, no doubt, no regret in his voice.
All of us would like to be able to face life and death that way. What enables a person to do that?
First, a firm commitment to Jesus Christ. Paul was ready to die because years before he had made a commitment of his life to Jesus Christ. He said earlier, “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day” (2 Timothy 1:12).
Our security is never greater than that to which we commit ourselves. Once on a mission trip deep in the jungles of Central America, we had to cross several swollen rivers in small dugout canoes. These canoes had been chopped from tree trunks by the Indians and left there for just such a purpose. They were shaky but sufficient for crossing the river. But they would never have been adequate for crossing the ocean.
When it comes to crossing the river of death, we must not commit ourselves to anyone less than Jesus Christ. He alone is sufficient for us then.
Second, a faithful life. Paul not only had made a commitment but he had been true to that commitment. He summed up his life this way: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).
Life to Paul was a struggle. There were difficulties, hardships, and temptations. Many times he must have thought about quitting. But he stayed faithful to the end. It was not only his firm commitment but his faithful life that enabled him to say, “I am ready.”
Third, a future hope. As Paul peered out into eternity he said, “What remains for me is a crown of righteousness which the Lord shall give to me that day.” Death was not the end for him. Something else remained and it was the glorious reward of the Lord.