As you go through the race of life, it’s good to have a sense of the finish line because it gives you the perspective that the struggles of life are a definite period and will soon come to an end, and that perspective helps to motivate you to persevere. In addition, a view of the finish line keeps your attention on things above. A good example is the apostle Paul who wrote:
2 Timothy 4:6–8 (ESV) — 6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.
Paul, who was Saul of Tarsus, a Pharisee and student of Gamaliel in Jerusalem, was on track for a life of respect as a rabbi who was an authority on the Law and the Prophets. The Lord Jesus Christ changed that forever as Saul was humbled before Him, submitted to Him as Lord, and became the apostle to the Gentiles. As he writes the words of 2nd Timothy from his prison cell in Rome, he’s penniless, lonely, and cold. But he is not complaining. Instead, he looks ahead to the finish line.
That is the advice given to strugglers in long distance races, such as an Ironman Triathlon. There are times along the way in the 140.6-mile race that a participant feels like dropping out, but a thought of the finish line will help to bring the racer out of the doldrums and back in the race. The finish line with bright lights, music, cheering fans, and a declaration by the announcer who calls each finisher by name and says, “you are an ironman.” Consider how Paul is doing exactly that as he writes, “… there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.”
Backing up a bit in the original statement, Paul also looks at how he’s made it thus far in the race of life.
2 Timothy 4:7 (ESV) — 7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
This is not bragging on himself as he has written repeatedly how the Lord Jesus Christ saw him through every circumstance by His grace.
1 Corinthians 15:8–10 (ESV) — 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.
2 Corinthians 4:7–11 (ESV) — 7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; 10 always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies. 11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
This is an appropriate point of lesson in making it through the difficulties of life. Consider how God has delivered you in the past. Consider how He’s been your help, strength, defender, and provider. When things get tough, look back to be reminded of God’s faithfulness.
Paul’s key to approaching the finish line was to keep his eye on the finish line as well as reminders of God’s faithfulness through life’s journey. Notice how he begins the admonition to Timothy:
2 Timothy 4:6 (ESV) — 6 For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.
He was ready to be poured out as a drink offering. Are you? That’s what the Lord Jesus Christ calls us to do as one of His disciples also reiterated by Paul in Romans 12.
Luke 9:23 (ESV) — 23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
Romans 12:1–2 (ESV) — 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
He was ready to be poured out as a drink offering.
Philippians 3:8 (ESV) — 8 Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ
That’s the attitude and the discipline to finishing the race of life well in the order of 2Timothy 4:6-8 – Consider the privilege of offering yourself as a sacrifice to the Lord Jesus Christ, looking to be consumed by Him. Remember His faithfulness to you through your journey of life. Focus on the finish, knowing that as you finish you will be welcomed by Him and oh what joy that will be.
Romans 8:18 (ESV) — 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker, Pastor
Christ Community Presbyterian Church
Clearwater, FL
Check out our podcast, The PowerBreak podcast, wherever you download podcasts or from our website: www.bobbrubaker.com
