"The Crown of Righteousness"

(Continued from p. 101.)

2 Timothy 4 is a marvelous chapter to have been penned by a worn old man in a Roman death-cell, just waiting for the summons to the last act of a martyrdom that had already lasted half of an ordinary life-time. It was probably written from an underground dungeon in the Mamertine Prison. After a few years' liberty following his first imprisonment, Paul had been re-arrested and sentenced to death for the fearful crime of preaching "another King, one Jesus!" His had been a life of almost incredible hardships for the gospel's sake and now his sun seemed to be setting in a night of darkness and unrelieved gloom.

But the aged apostle did not so consider it. Whatever the then-present sufferings he saw the glory beyond. And his valedictory letter to his companion in many journeys and conflict ends with a note of triumph such as this world has seldom heard.

"I am now ready to be offered," he exclaims-thinking of himself as a victim about to be placed on the altar of sacrifice-"and the time of my departure is at hand." The word for "departure" is "exodus," the same word used by Peter in his second epistle (1:15), where it is translated "decease." For these men of God death was not a lapsing into unconsciousness, but a "going-out" of the body in order to be "present with the Lord."

Looking back over his long record, Paul can say without affectation:

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith."

It was not merely that he had fought well. Undoubtedly he had. But he would leave the Lord to say that. What he says is that the fight in which he had been engaged was the good course-in opposition to the evil. The definite article brings this out more clearly than the indefinite as in the Authorized Version.

And now what of the future? Ah, he sees all bright ahead!

"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!"

May we not say that this last expression gives us the secret of Paul's devotion to the cause of righteousness, He loved-loved passionately-the glorious appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ; therefore he could count all else but dross that he might win Christ's approval in that day of manifestation.

All believers are "made the righteousness of God in' Christ." To every one who has trusted Him He is Jehovah Tsidkenu, "The Lord our Righteousness."

But the crown of righteousness is the reward-as distinguished from "the gift of righteousness"-which will adorn the brows of every one who has manifested by a life of practical righteousness and devotion to the Saviour's interests in this world, that he truly loved the appearing of our Lord Jesus.

"Every man that hath this hope in Him [or set on Him, 1:e., on the Coming One], purifieth himself even as He is pure."

Nothing is so conducive to a life of integrity before God and uprightness before men as an abiding sense in the soul of the near coming of the Lord. He who truly waits for God's Son from heaven will be found serving the living and true God day by day.

To profess to hold the doctrine of the pre-millennial coming of Christ is one thing. To be really held by it is quite another. He whose life is unrighteous, whose spirit is worldly, whose outlook on life is carnal and selfish, has never yet learned to love His appearing. Nor will such ever obtain the crown of righteousness in that day. It is alone for those who, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than all earth's boasted treasures, live now in view of then, because, like Moses, they "have respect unto the recompense of the reward."

Oh, how small and insignificant will the things that worldlings and carnal Christians live for, seem "in that day!" May we then truly so love His appearing as to gladly follow His steps now.

"Unto Thee, the homeless Stranger,
Outside the camp,
Forth we hasten, fear no danger,
Outside the camp.
Thy reproach, far richer treasure
Than all Egypt's boasted pleasure;
Drawn by love that knows no measure,
Outside the camp."

Then when He returns, what joy unbounded will it be to receive from His pierced hand the crown of righteousness, the evidence of His approval and the recognition of a righteous life. H. A. Ironside

(To be continued, D. V.)