LifeLink Devotions for Friday, October 23, 2026
This has been a challenging week of devotionals. I know for me it has caused me to reflect on several very important aspects of my faith in Jesus Christ. I hope it has been helpful to you as well.
One of the things that we all need is good motivation. In Second Timothy chapter 4 verse 8 Paul closes out his teaching to Timothy with this motivation.
“Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”
Let’s consider two things today.
- Just as God designed the laws of physics that say for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction, he has designed spiritual laws that say because one thing is true, henceforth, this will be the result. Paul says that because he has fought the good fight of the faith, and has run the race, and has kept the faith, the Lord is going to reward him. Focus for just a moment on the word henceforth. As you look backwards at your life, what does the future hold? Based on previous beliefs and previous activity, what is in store for you? If you do not know Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior serious suffering is in store. If you know Jesus Christ but have followed him at a distance few rewards will be offered. But if you have been faithful to fight the good fight and run the race and keep the faith there will be a crown of righteousness which the Lord himself will award you. Today is the start of your henceforth. You can wipe away the past by faith in Jesus Christ. You can prepare for a great reward if today you start living faithfully.
- But don’t be confused. The motivation for living a life of faithfulness is not the reward that we’re going to receive, but rather the love we have for Jesus Christ. Yes Jesus Christ will reward us for faithful service to him. But that faithful service is motivated by the love we have for the one who saved us from our sin. Paul said the same reward that he is going to be given will be given to all who have loved his appearing. Do you love the fact that he appeared in your life and saved you? Do you love the fact that he’s going to appear again and take you into his glorious presence forever? Are you living with that love motivating every other aspect of your life? All who live in that way will receive the same award that Paul said he will receive.
As I mentioned before in a previous devotional there is a day coming when Jesus Christ will descend from the heavens into the clouds of the sky and a trumpet will sound. The voice of the Archangel of God will issue a call for all who have placed their faith in Jesus Christ to ascend into the skies to meet Jesus forever. The dead in Christ will rise from the grave first and then all we who are alive will rise with them. In that instant we will be changed from our earthly bodies into heavenly ones that will live eternally with Jesus Christ our Lord. On that day we will be like him for we will see him as he is.
Now I don’t know about you but for me that’s all the motivation I need to live faithfully for Jesus Christ in this life.
Pastor John
