Did you know that one of the books of the New Testament is like a letter from death row? It is the apostle Paul's second epistle to Timothy. Paul had been arrested, most likely as a result of the Christian persecution initiated by the Roman emperor Nero in 64 A.D.

Paul foresees his death and mentions that no one testified on his behalf at his first hearing (2 Timothy 4:16). There were people who could have helped him, though, but Paul's Christian attitude of forgiveness is evident when he mentions them in the same verse: "All forsook me. May it not be charged against them." Not only those near him during his trial forsook him, he also had to bear the disloyalty of church leaders in Asia (2 Timothy 1:15).

These setbacks did nothing to diminish Paul's commitment to serve the church: "I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory" (2 Timothy 2:10).

Seeing his death on the horizon, Paul had words of encouragement for Timothy: "Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus . . . you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them" (2 Timothy 1:13; 3:14).

Paul realized that his preaching of the gospel was to end soon, but his thoughts centered on how that message would be shared in the future: "You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (2 Timothy 2:1-2).

In Paul's letter from death row we see the apostle's confidence regarding his future reward (2 Timothy 4:6-8). There is also this important lesson: You can kill the messenger, but not the message.

With these thoughts I wish everyone a rewarding Sabbath!