I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7
The end is coming for Paul. He knows death is right around the corner, therefore, he is reviewing his life. Paul describes his life in a few phrases.
Paul saw his Christian life as a good fight, the only fight worth fighting for. What was he fighting? Paul was fighting Satan, all behaviors that went against God, religious hypocrisy, immoral behavior, Abuse a spiritual freedom in the church, false teachers, distortion of Christ message, worldliness, and every kind of sin. When we look at this list, does it make you stop and look at your own life? Are you fighting the good fight of the things that really matter? Or are you fighting on the little things that don’t have value?
Paul second phrase is he saw his life like a race. He is coming to the end of his race. When I hear the word race I think of running. Then my mind goes to marathons. Then I think of all the training, the trials, and the hard-work a person goes through to run a race. Preparing is really hard. Well, living your life for Christ is hard. When we choose Christ, it will not be easy. There will be trials and temptations. Look at Paul’s life. He had many trials, let downs, and temptation. Yet Paul stayed faithful to his Lord and Savior throughout his life. When things get really hard, Paul pressed in more to Jesus.
In times of severe testing, discouragement, and trouble; Paul held firmly in his faith. Even when his friends abandoned him. Even when Paul opposed false teachers. Paul never compromised the message of Christ. He spoke of forgiveness, a personal relationship with God, and eternal life through faith in Christ. What a great example for us.
Paul did fight the good fight. He ran a good race. He stayed faithful. As we follow Christ, we must serve wholeheartedly and give everything for Jesus. Jesus did this for us! We then can do the same. People are searching, but not sure what’s up. Let’s be the light and fight the good fight. Let’s run the race in Stanford in our faith. Let Jesus stick out all over our lives, so others can see and hear Jesus Christ this message. Let’s be devoted wholeheartedly to God.
Mare you fighting the good fight? Or fight about the little things?
Are you running the race?
Are you standing firm in the faith when it’s gets really hard?
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for your help in our lives. I ask that we know what to fight for, that it will be for your kingdom and not for the purposes of flesh and selfishness. I pray that we endure our race in life and stand firm in our faith in you!
In Jesus Name
amen
