If your life were to end today, would you be able to say, like the apostle Paul, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful” (2 Timothy 4:7 NLT)? It doesn’t mean that you’ve never made a mistake. Rather, it means that you kept with it. Would you be able to say, “When I fought this spiritual battle, I took on a few black eyes, but I kept fighting. I was knocked down, but I never was knocked out. I always came back for more”? Would you be able to say, “When I ran this spiritual race, I stumbled a few times, but I got up again and ran even harder to catch up. I finished the course. I have guarded the faith”? If you would be able to say that, then the promise Paul spoke of is for you as well: “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. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8 NLT). In this verse Paul described those who are looking forward with great anticipation to the return of Jesus Christ. He was speaking of believers who are leading lives that are honoring to God and right before Him. Are you looking forward to Christ’s appearing? Are you looking forward to the day when He returns? When you think about the fact that Christ could return at any moment, does your heart leap a little with excitement? Or does it sink with dread? It’s a good litmus test of your spiritual character, because if your life is right with God, you will welcome Christ’s return. | 
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