2 Timothy 1:12(KJV)
For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless, I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.
Paul was a man whose life proved that faith in the sustaining grace of God is not a waste. God kept him going in the Christian race and helped him finish well and strong. At the end of his life, he was able to say, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith.” Starting a journey to a great destination is a beautiful experience, but if that journey does not end at the expected place, it becomes useless. It is of great importance to finish every race very well. The ultimate goal of the Christian journey for every true child of God is to be transformed and meet the Lord when the trumpet sounds. The Christian race requires serious commitment and focus but has one great reward that none other can offer. Our faith depends on Jesus from the start of our race of life until the end. Fpr where we are going is much more significant than where we have been.
History has records of several men and women who had a lot of distinguished accomplishments at the beginning of their lives but ended with one shameful blemish or the other. They are like sprinters who start strong in a race only to stumble close to the finish line. It is not an insignificant thing to note that of the six hundred thousand Israelites who left the land of Egypt, only two of them got to the Promised Land. It should serve as an example and a warning to every child of God running the Christian race in these end-times. It proves that though starting well matters, finishing well and strong is more important. Mark 13:35-37 says, “Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” We must watch what goes into our hearts and what comes out of it, watch what we feed our eyes and ears, watch our speech, our mode of dressing, and the kind of company we keep. As children of God, we need to set our priorities right.
One most important question we need to answer in this life is; what would we do if all we have left to live is only 72, 48, or 24 hours? If we only have 24 hours to live on Earth, are we going to go about making the latest hairstyle, smoking or drinking alcohol, or go after a man or woman to commit immorality? Are we going to embark on the pursuit of money, cheat others out of a business deal, or steal from somebody? Would we go about telling lies about people or fill our hearts with unforgiveness? If we had only twenty-four hours to live, the consciousness of Eternity would dawn on many of us, and we would begin to make amends in our relationship with God to make Heaven. Many would do everything possible to make it right with God in preparation for Eternity in Heaven. Some would pray or preach to others and impact their lives positively.
Beloved, Beloved, the key to living a perfect life for the successful ending of your Christian journey lies in your obedience to the Word of God and steadfastness in godliness. Whatever you would do if you had only twenty-four hours to live, don’t wait, DO IT NOW and END WELL AND STRONG. Do not wait for tomorrow because many planned to serve God tomorrow, but tomorrow never came for them. Do your best to avoid procrastination in all areas of your life. At the start of the day, let go of the disappointments, the setbacks from yesterday. Start every morning fresh and new. God did not create you to carry around all that baggage. Let it go and move forward in the life of blessing God has in store for you! Boldly let go of the sin that entangles your life, distorts your vision, enlarges your doubts, and robs you of your spiritual vitality and stamina. Stay on your guards. Keep your convictions strong. Avoid compromise and do not give in to ungodly associations. Don’t allow yourself to fumble and stumble close to the finishing line of your Christian race. I pray that you will finish well and not fall by the wayside in Jesus’ Name.
O Lord, help me and give me the grace to finish well in Jesus’ Name.