2 Timothy 4:7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
Some of us have life goals, projects or objectives that span decades of our lives. They are BIG goals, the kind that take a lifetime to achieve, and are sometimes beyond achievement. These are goals that will affect generations to come.
I often think of the words from the parable when Jesus said to the faithful servants, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” These are the words of the Master when the final accounting takes place. I want to hear those words from the Master.
But what are the words I would like to speak to myself when my time draws to a close, when the evening of life is fast approaching. How would I like to summarize the progress I have made toward accomplishing my goals? I think about such things!
I think our text gives us the perfect summary of the efforts Paul made at achieving his goals. These words are part of the letter to his young protege and are written as he sees his days coming to a close. And this close will be at the hands of his persecutors.
He could have been focused on the injustice of his imprisonment, but instead is focused on the Gospel. Even with the personal nature of some of Paul’s remarks, he does not lose his focus. Accomplishing the task of bringing the Gospel to the Gentiles was his life’s goal following his conversion. And as the writings in the New Testament attest, he was successful at his task.
He says three things in our text, and the first is that he fought a good fight. The picture is of a boxer at the final bell. He could raise his hands in exhaustion knowing that he gave every bit of energy and effort to the match. With sweat flowing from his bow, the Referee raised his arm in victory.
Paul also writes that he finished the race, a running metaphor. My son is a runner. He runs ten miles without much effort, running being a regular part of his routine. I, on the other hand, have never enjoyed a single run. Perhaps the Army just confirmed my natural inclination to walk. I move fast enough in the rest of life, I don’t need to run anywhere!
Paul writes that he finished the race, the goal of all runners. It is not enough to begin the race; many people do that. But Paul finished the ultra ultra marathon of ministry. I am still in the race, so I don’t know if I have finished it yet.
And in the face of so much opposition and the turning away of others, Paul writes that he has kept the faith. He was entrusted with a specific message from Jesus Himself. And that message was confirmed repeatedly through the Holy Spirit as he traveled throughout his ministry.
And that message was that all could come to Jesus by faith. None would be rejected if they came trusting in His grace. And Paul continued to share this message throughout his life.
But Paul is saying something even more profound. He personally has kept the faith. Unlike some who had wandered from the faith, he has kept firm to it in the face of opposition. He could have yielded to the pressures that came his direction, attempting to change his message every so slightly. But Paul knew that those small changes would permanently alter the Gospel itself.
And Paul remained a Christ-follower. How about you?
The Arnold Journey 