I love the first part of this chapter. As I sit here and read, I feel my heart rate increasing. I am pretty sure that it’s not due to my coffee but rather the text. Paul is speaking my language. It feels like a scene from a good action movie. He talks about war and athletes, Triumph and failure.

Even though this was not the circumstance, as I read I found myself imagining Paul pacing back and forth as his followers stood at attention thinking about the task ahead. I imagined Paul raising his voice much like that of an army commander pumping up his troops as they prepare for battle. I pictured a scene from a move like Braveheart or Gladiator with Mel Gibson or Russel Crowe getting his men ready for battle.

Paul in this chapter is pushing us. He is pushing us to the end. He encourages us to push through to completion. In verse 11 to 13 he writes, “If we died with Him, we will also live with Him. If we endure, we will also reign with Him. If we disown Him, He will also disown us. If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for He cannot disown Himself.” We must live knowing that everything we have, everything we have accomplished is worthless unless it is found in Him.