Finish Well

Hebrews 12:1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

“It’s not how you start but how you finish” is often quoted when a sports team or individual comes from behind to win an event. “We expect a strong finish” is a familiar statement a politician might make when trailing half way through voting tabulations. We have also witnessed marathon runners who finished a race 12 hours after the winner broke the finish line tape. We admired their tenancy to keep going even without the cheering crowds pouring adulation upon them. I once talked with a successful marathon runner who described his success being based upon making his body do things it did not want to do. In other words, he pressed his body to submit to a painful process which in the end caused him to finish well.

2 Timothy 4:6-8 6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

As you get older, you start to do the math and realize the days in front of you are far shorter than the ones behind you. Some people respond to this math equation by creating a “bucket list” of activities to complete before they kick the bucket. Others send out invitations to a highly dramatic pity party as they regale over their past accomplishments as well as failures. Some approach this period as an excuse to do nothing. “I’m retired, let them young folks do the work.” With most races, you tend to know where it starts and ends. You also have directional arrows and lanes alone the course to keep you within the right boundaries. I have attended numerous funerals throughout my years. The ages have ranged from the pre-born to very old and everything in between. The thing most of these people had in common was on the day they died, none knew when the day began, it would be their last.

We all have a race to run. For some, the race is long and difficult. For others, it is shortened to just a few years. Paul’s very personal letters to Timothy were the last known ones he ever wrote. His race would soon come to an end through execution in Rome. Paul had run a difficult race that was burdened through the affliction of his thorn in the flesh, multiple beatings, a deadly snake bite and constant challenges regarding his authority. None of us will ever be Paul and very few will experience similar difficulties but we all have a race to finish. Some of you reading this are trying to run this race under your own strength. Some are trying to run it while carrying the burdens of secret sexual sins. Many of you may believe you have been disqualified from the race because you have gone outside the boundaries too many times. Some of you reading this may be in the last days of your race and you want to finish well. Paul did not finish nor run his race through his own strength. He ran his race through faith and the hope of the prize before him. Let us all follow his example. Cast off the snares and weights of sin, train your spiritual body to submit to the Father’s will, find fellow runners to support one another and find strength in His Word.

Your race may end in a few days or many years from now. Whatever the time may be, finish well so you can hear your Father say “Well done my faithful child.”

If you are struggling to cast off the burden of sexual sin and need the tools to finish well, please give us a call at 901-430-3412. You can find out more about Perfect Hope and our workshops by going to perfecthope.org.

Jonathan Jones, President and Founder of Perfect Hope Ministry.