For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith (2 Timothy 4:6-7).

Our opening Scripture is so profound and touching. The Apostle Paul was writing from prison, anticipating his own death. He knew his life was about to be poured out; he was ready to go and be with the Lord, but not without affirming, “ ...I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” Paul’s conviction about the Gospel was absolute; and this was obvious in the kind of life he lived. He was sold out to the Gospel.

Your greatest passion should be the spread of the Gospel around the world. Jesus said in Matthew 24:14, “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.” These compelling words capture the urgency and need to preach the Gospel to every man, woman, boy and girl, and keep at it until the knowledge of God’s Word and His righteousness cover the earth as the waters cover the sea.

I’m sure you must have wondered at the commitment of those who wreak havoc through terrorism in different parts of the world. They believe in a wrong cause, and are willing to die for it. Now, if such folks could be willing to die (and are dying) for something that’s so wrong and hurtful to society, how much should you be ready to put into the true message—the Gospel—which is the only hope and power for man’s salvation? How far are you willing to go for the Gospel?

Paul said, “I’m ready to be offered”; in other words, “I’m ready to die for the Gospel.” This was his mindset. In Romans 1:16, he said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.”

How often do you intercede and agonize for lost souls, with tears and intense passion? When you speak, can others feel that intense passion and compassion you have for the salvation of lost souls? How much time, effort, energy, and resources do you commit to the Gospel?

Be inspired always to win souls, and pray for lost souls with passion. Nothing should matter more to you than to see those for whom Jesus died, living for Him.