Finishing Well

Amos 1-3; Psalms. 80; 2 Timothy 4 

“…the time has come for my departure. 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 to all who long for his appearing.”

2 Timothy 4:6-8

What is the key to finishing well?

In the last season of Paul’s life, his second letter to Timothy is full of final instructions from a mentor to his disciple. However, it is Paul’s life itself which is the loudest message. Paul is finishing well through focusing on the return of Jesus and his eternal reward. Eternity is clearly in view and eternity shapes the values Paul is living with. Paul is finishing well by fighting temptation, spiritual attacks and any distractions to his life of faith – till the end. He is running the race of faith with perseverance until the finish line. Paul’s expectation of eternal reward means that everything he endured for the gospel mission to which God called him, was worth it. When we live with our reward in this life, we live for the moment. When we live for our eternal reward, we live for eternity.

What are we living for?

“Lord Jesus, I pray for your grace and empowerment to live with eternal values and finish the race of faith you have called me to – well.”