Summing up a life lived for God
It is difficult to sum up any one's life, leave alone one's own life. It is not what is said at our funeral that matters, but what we are and have been, by the grace of God.
The grave stone of John Newton at the Church of St. Peter and Paul in Olney, England bears the epitaph that was written by Newton himself:
“JOHN NEWTON. Clerk. Once an infidel and libertine a servant of slaves in Africa was by the rich mercy of our LORD and SAVIOUR JESUS CHRIST preserved, restored, pardoned and appointed to preach the faith he had long laboured to destroy.
Earlier, John Newton had this to say about his life: “I am not what I ought to be, I am not what I want to be, I am not what I hope to be in another world; but still I am not what I once used to be, and by the grace of God I am what I am”
In summing up his own life, John Newton exalts Christ, just like Paul who said: By the grace of God I am what I am. I am not perfect. But I continue to aim at it. And one day soon I will be perfect.
Paul is writing this letter (1 Timothy), languishing in a Roman prison. He knows that no more missionary journeys await, no more visits to churches, and no more long letters to his brothers and sisters around the world.
What occupies his thoughts? The injustice of his situation? Fear of his execution? The discomfort of prison? No. In Chapter 4, we see that he encourages the church and exhorts Timothy to preach the gospel. He has great concern for the church. He recognises that there is not much more that he can do and hands over the batton to young Timothy.
John Bycroft's thoughts are also similarly centered around his concern for the church. And then in 1 Tim 4:6-8, he sums up his life. In this remarkable summation are four amazing points.
THE FIGHT HE FEARLESSLY FOUGHT
"I have fought the good fight."
This was not boasting. This was reality.
"Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Eph 6:10-12)" The spiritual life is a battle, and if we are to stand, we must do so wearing the spiritual armour.
"But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession before many witnesses. (1 Tim 6:11-12)"
"For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ (2 Cor 10:3-5)"
John Bycroft is a fighter and he would hand the batton over to others just as Paul does here.
THE FAITH HE FAITHFULLY KEPT
"I have kept the faith."
"Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints. (Jude 3)"
We can say that we have contended for and kept the faith by unflinching witness to the God of grace, when we withhold help to false teachers, when we live the faith without compromising with evil, and when we expose error and proclaim truth.
We preach Christ crucified. It may be a stumbling block to some, but we are not detered. We will seek to preach it and live it and compromise with the truth.
These things can be said of John Bycroft.
THE FINISH HE FINALLY MADE
"I have finished the race."
Paul uses the metaphor of a foot racer when speaking of the life of a Christian.
To the Ephesian elders, Paul says: "But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24)"
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. (1Cor 9:24-26)"
1 Cor 9 all the runners run . . . Self control as one beating the air
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and cis seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb 12:1-2)"
"You will be hated by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved. (Mat 10:22)"
Is this then a works gospel? We are saved by the grace of God, we are kept by the grace of God, and we persevere by the grace of God.
"But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. We have come to share in Christ if we hold firmly to the end the assurance we had at first. (Heb 3:13-14)"
At John Bycroft's age, the end is near although we do not know when.
THE FUTURE HE IS FULLY ASSURED OF
"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."
Nothing more wonderful than knowing that our eternal destiny is secure.
Why is the apostle assured? It was because he was depending on the cross.
John Bycroft's assurance is on Christ.
He is not perfect. None of us are perfect. We are sad for the times we have offended the Lord.
At his death bed, John Newton said: “My memory is nearly gone. But I remember two things: that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Saviour.”
Being sure of our salvation is very important for the Bible warns us about false assurance.
"Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ (Matt 7:21-23)"
Paul makes it clear that only those who will love his appearing have that assurance.
John Bycroft has been a faithful defender of the faith through the years. His love for the gospel has been the driving force of his life. His generosity to the church and for the furtherance of the God's kingdom is unparalleled. Now at age 93, he speaks of the future with certainty, waiting with joy for the moment when he will see the Lord Jeaus. We are thankful for his example of faithfulness and generosity. South City deeply appreciates his service.
We must keep our eyes fixed firmly on the author and finisher of our faith. It will not be a bed of roses. Keep your eyes on Christ and carry on your ministry. May Abraham and the others continue with their evangelism, even when efforts are made to close them down.