Finish well!

2 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭8‬

“For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”‭‭2 Timothy‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

As soon as we are saved by grace through faith, we are called to live by grace through faith. And at the end of his final epistle, before his death, Paul reminds Timothy and us to keep running with perseverance the Christian race set before us, to preach the God-breathed Word, and to stand fast and patiently endure, by grace through faith, as we waits expectantly for the return of the Lord. Like Timothy, we too are to live by grace through faith, knowing that we will all stand before the judgment seat of Christ and be rewarded with gold, silver, or precious stones for the good works we did by grace through faith, or suffer loss for the ungodly works we did in the flesh. Let’s face it starting well is relatively easy. Finishing well is a different matter. The same is true of the Christian life. Becoming a Christian is relatively easy, acknowledge to God that you are a sinner and receive by faith the free gift of eternal life that Christ provided by His shed blood. You cannot work for salvation nor do anything to qualify for it. God gives it freely to all that recognize their need and trust in Christ alone. But then comes the hard part, hanging in there as a Christian in a world that is hostile towards God and His people. The world constantly dangles in front of us all that it has to offer in opposition to the things of God. From within, the flesh entices is to forsake Christ and gratify our sinful desires. The enemy hits us with temptation after temptation. The real test of our faith is, will we endure? Genuine faith in Christ perseveres to the finish line. The Christian life is a marathon, not a 100-yard dash. Since finishing a marathon well is not easy, when you see a man who sprints across the finish line, you ought to try to find out his secret. Let us be those that walk in spirit and truth, and live by faith and not by sight. Perhaps your circumstances seem pretty dismal today. Maybe you’re considering dropping out of the Christian race. From his dungeon, the aged apostle calls out to you Don’t quit! Keep going! You can finish well! “Keep in focus his view of the present: You can reproduce yourself in others to carry the torch after you. View your life as a sacrifice to God. Your death will be a departure to be with Christ.

Keep in focus his view of the past, so that one day it will be your past. You will be able to look back and say that you engaged in the struggle for the cause of Christ. You didn’t drop out of the race! You guarded the truth of the gospel. Keep in focus his view of the future. Soon you will stand before the Lord, the righteous Judge, vindicated by His grace. Live in view of that day. If you live with Paul’s focus, you will finish well. Let us be those that run with perseverance the race set before us, as we preach the Word and patiently endure the trials of life, by grace through faith!!!

Father thank You for this day and the strength to persevere into it. Lord pour out Your abundant blessings over my friend and family today. Lord help us to live by grace through faith, as we watch for Your any day return when You come to take us to be with Yourself. Lord we pray that we may run the race set before us with patient endurance as we watch for Your appearing with eager anticipation. Lord we pray that we may finish the good work that You have started in us. Lord help us finish well. Encourage us today to see in our daily activities your hands guiding, comforting, teaching, and challenging us to be the best person that we can be for the other people whom we serve and seek to help. Daddy we love you amen. Be a blessing. Love ya !!