Finishing Well — E.A. Johnston

Paul's Declaration of Finishing the Race

The Apostle Paul writes in 2nd Timothy in chapter 4 and verse 7, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. Here the Apostle Paul recognizes that the Christian life is a battle.

The Christian Life as a Spiritual Battle

I have fought a good fight, he declares. In Ephesus he says he fought with beasts, whether figuratively or not. In Mordecai Ham, the great evangelist, said the Christian life to him was a constant battle.

And he titled his autobiography, 50 Years on the Battlefront. So we see friends, the Christian life is indeed a battle. A battle with the world, the flesh and the devil. Next the Apostle Paul compares the Christian life to a marathon race.

The Christian Life as a Marathon Race

I have finished my course, he says. In heaven, stayed in the race, he has crossed the finish line, keeping the faith. I have kept the faith, like an Olympic athlete would have the responsibility of keeping the eternal flame lit as he runs from station to station to deliver it still on fire.

Paul kept his faith on fire for Christ until the very end of his life. My topic today friends is running well and finishing well. And I want us to look at the Christian life as a race today as seen in the following four aspects.

Four Requirements for Finishing Well

I normally don't use the art of alliteration but it fits my purpose well today. The title of my message friends is finishing well. And as we run this race it's not a sprint but a marathon. And I want us to look at these four aspects of this race.

First our continual dependence and then our constant watch. And then our contrite obedience and finally our consuming passion. Well let's look at the first of these, our continual dependence. Where a believer gets into trouble is when he becomes self-reliant.

Continual Dependence Upon Christ

When one is self-reliant they are out of step with God and they are heading for a ditch in sin. Churches can become self-reliant and out of touch with God as well. To where they rely more on money and manpower to get the job done rather than waiting on God and Holy Ghost power.

But our dependence is upon Christ. John 15 verse 4 speaks of this. Abide in me and I in you. And Jesus goes on to warn, apart from me you can do nothing, nothing of any eternal worth. The word abide in the Greek is the word meno and it means to dwell, to stay, to linger.

The abiding life of the Christian is one of continual dependence upon God and Christ. Now let's look at this next aspect of the Christian race, our constant watch. The apostle Peter tells us in his epistle that the devil is a roaring lion going about seeing who he can devour.

Constant Watchfulness Against Sin

We must know our enemy friends and we also must know our hearts and we must stay on a constant watch against sin. Paul warns us in 1 Corinthians 10 -12. Well how can we achieve this? Let's look at our next aspect of running our race, our contrite obedience.

Contrite Obedience and Holiness

We must walk softly before our Lord in humility and obedience to Him. Isaiah 55 -15 declares who the person is who has access to God. For thus saith the high and lofty one that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is holy.

I dwell in the high and holy place with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit. So we see friends, God is holy and He hates sin. He calls us to live lives of holiness unto Him. We can't walk with God and have one foot in the world.

For Amos 3 -3 declares can two walk together except they be agreed? Well obviously they cannot. When we sin we break fellowship with God. We must walk before Him in contrite obedience if we want to finish our race well.

A Consuming Passion for Christ

Well lastly we see our consuming passion. Paul in Philippians 1 -21 declares his life purpose. For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain. The apostle Paul was a Christ intoxicated man. His consuming passion was Christ for Christ was his all in all.

What's our consuming passion? Is it the game of golf? Is it shopping? Are we living for this world or are we living for eternity? For things of eternal worth. So to finish the race well we must acknowledge our continual dependence upon Christ.

We must stay on a constant watch against sin. We must exercise contrite obedience as we walk with our God. And we may live the rest of our days with a consuming passion for Christ and the spread of the gospel.

Finishing with the Master's Commendation

For to me to live is Christ and to die is gain. When we cross the finish line of our life by death and the angels carry our soul up to heaven. May we hear the words from our master's lips. Well done that good and faithful servant.

Thou hast been faithful over a few things. I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joy of the Lord. Let's finish well friends and let's depend on our Christ. Let us pray.