Read: 2 Timothy 4:6-18
I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7 KJV
We all know that a race is considered a competition between runners.
It is an event to see who is the fastest in covering a set course.
Runners take the time to prepare for it.
Doing everything they can to make sure they can finish it.
The main goal, to be the one to finish first.
But there will also be those whose only desire is to make it to the end.
To have great joy in knowing they had finished what they started.
In the Bible, “finishing the race” is a term Paul used to describe his Christian life.
It was regarding the calling that God had placed on his life.
It meant he had finished the course of telling others about the gospel of salvation.
He was letting them know the race is lifelong.
One that requires the setting aside of sin and anything that brings harm to a relationship with God.
How the race could be won by anyone who completed it.
Which could be done as they kept their eyes on the Savior.
The Author and Finisher of our faith.
That the end reward would be joy.
We all have a personal journey.
Our life’s journey is a competition.
A race to be run in this lifetime.
Every day we race against the struggles of life.
We prepare for the race by praying daily.
Worshipping and reading the Word.
Taking time to examine our lives for those things that keep us from doing His will.
Always maintaining a Christlike attitude.
Knowing that by the Power of the Word, we finish strong.
So let us strive to live faithfully for Christ, as the Apostle Paul did,
Being able to say, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7 KJV).
“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:8 KJV).
Stay in the race, no matter how difficult it may seem at times.
A WORD OF PRAYER
Father, we know that the race is not given to the swift or the strong. Time and chance happens to us all. There will always be something in our lives that tries to keep us from doing Your will. But we are not to give up. To be like Paul and keep the faith. We are to keep running the race that is set before us. Letting the gospel be our guide. It is when we endure to the end that we finish strong. Reaping all the benefits of Let us remain faithful no matter our situation.
In Jesus Name We Pray, Amen