“I have fought an excellent fight. I have finished my full course with all my might and I’ve kept my heart full of faith.” 2 Timothy 4:7 TPT.
There may be times in our lives as Christians when we collapse and fall. And when that happens, all we can do is get up again.
When Paul was approaching the end of his life, he wrote, “As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful” (2 Timothy 4:6–7)
Notice that he didn’t say, “I ran the race.” No, he said, “I finished the race.” That is the key. It is not enough to start well; we need to finish well too. It is not enough to run fast; we need to run fast and long.
This is a long-distance run, and the goal is to make it across the finish line. In 2 Peter 1:10–11 the apostle Peter urges us, “So, dear brothers and sisters, work hard to prove that you really are among those God has called and chosen. Do these things, and you will never fall away. Then God will give you a grand entrance into the eternal Kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ”.
Father, by your grace and mercy I will finish well and strong. Strengthen my faith to the end. I will not be wounded in the battle of life IJN.
Shalom!
Amenn.