During this time of year, Memorial Day, in which our country takes the time to pause and remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice by giving their lives as soldiers for their country, we that are spiritual must set aside not one day but every day to remember why we too must sacrifice. In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he urges him to remind the people of God to be reminded of their one true objective – to bring salvation through Christ Jesus to God’s elect (2 Timothy 2:10). Paul goes on to say that, at times, these sacrifices may require hardships and a trying of our faith (2 Timothy 2:11). However, these sacrifices may look different for each of us because no two individuals’ trials are exactly alike. Nevertheless, we must all make sacrifices for the sake of the Gospel, for once we accept the call to make Jesus our Lord, our lives are no longer our own. With that in mind, that is why we are instructed to endure, not considering any selfish ambitions or entertaining weaknesses of our flesh, but instead denying that which we may desire for the sake of a much greater cause. So, we do as Paul did, and we press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Philippians 3:14) and we remember the “why” – our ultimate purpose in doing what we do.
Blessings,
Elder Q.R. Duncan
