(The following is the October 8 devotional from my Next Step Devotions book. Before reading it, I suggest you read 2 Timothy 4 and pay close attention to verses 6-8.)
Paul wrote his final letter to Timothy from prison, where he knew his days on Earth were few. He accepted his coming martyr’s death and reflected on his faithful service for Christ: “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time for my departure is close. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. There is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved his appearing” (vv. 6-8).
As Paul sat in prison awaiting his execution, he still did what he could through writing and, we assume, personal witnessing. He reflected on his life and evaluated it from the perspective of persevering in the faith. Paul could confidently, in good conscience, say that he stayed the course. Christ had called him away from persecuting believers to a ministry of preaching to the Gentiles, and he carried out that mission to the very end.
We may not be comfortable saying as Paul did, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” We may regret things we did and failed to do, for even faithful Christians battle the flesh in this life until God calls us home. It’s healthy to be aware of our past so that we don’t repeat what we shouldn’t, but our focus should primarily be on the race God currently places before us. Each of us is uniquely positioned to serve our Lord in ways, places, and times that nobody else can. No one else is running in our lane.
Fight the good fight. Finish the race. Keep the faith.
Next Step:
Reflect on your life’s service for Christ. How have you fought the good fight and kept the faith? If God grants you more years ahead, how can you finish the race stronger than you have to date?
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