1 Oct
Finishing Well
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith 2 Tim. 4:7.
One of the many good things about walking or running outdoors is that you can’t quit before you make it all the way home. But, alas … I walk on a treadmill. That pretty much says it all for me. Yes, I have trouble finishing what I start. I get really excited about the idea of exercising. I like thinking about it and imagining how great it will be when I am able to jog for miles without breaking a sweat. But when I am actually huffing and puffing through the easiest program on my treadmill, I find many creative excuses to justify stopping rather than sticking with it to the end. Can I get a witness?
When I look at the examples I see in the scriptures, I can find many who failed to keep to the prescribed course. Abraham lied about Sarah being his wife. Moses struck the rock. David turned to Bathsheba. Peter denied knowing Jesus. I think just about everyone has turned the treadmill off early at one time or another. But wait … don’t give up yet. If you stop now, you’ll be left sitting in the middle of the road in your running shoes waiting for the next speeding car to turn you into road kill. Get up and get moving again. God is ever faithful!
In Philippians 1:6 Paul writes, “I am sure of this, that He who started a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” What was the good work that God had begun in the Philippian believers? It was the work of salvation. It was begun by His grace, and it would be completed in the same way. However, that didn’t mean that the Philippians had no part to play in it. Paul told them to “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Phil. 2:12). That sounds to me as though it was a work that took some perseverance and determination on those believers’ part. The same is true in the lives of believers today. God has started a good work in our lives, but we need to put it into practice in our daily living. Paul continued, “For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to will and to act for His good purpose” (Phil 2:13). It is in His strength that we can finish the race and keep the faith to the very end.
Paul said, “But I count my life of no value to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry I receive from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of God’s grace” (Acts 20:24). What course are you on? What ministry have you received from the Lord? Are you as excited about it today as you were when you first received it? How can you fan the flame of your desire to finish well? Remember. God is enabling you by giving you the will and the ability to bring Him glory. See you at the finish line!
Father, thank you for beginning Your good work in me. Help me to persevere and to finish my course and ministry in a way that will bring You the most honor and glory. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
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