2 Timothy 4:7


I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith ~ 2 Timothy 4:7

The Christian life is a warfare in the spiritual realm more often than we may realize. We battle against sin, our fleshly desires, and the devil who is alive and well and prowls around seeing who he can devour. Paul says he has run the race and fought well to the finish line. He knew what the prize was as his eyes were fastened on Christ. To be like Christ is our goal – to love as he loved, to pursue what is just and right, to fight the powers of darkness with Truth. These are what the good fight is all about. And the fight is for every day of our life. My daughter swims in Special Olympics and when she races the duration is short and timed. Not so with the race we are in as Christians. It occurs every day until the day when we will meet up with our Lord and pass through the gates into eternal life. Paul kept the faith throughout, not only objectively but subjectively! It was as much an inner keeping as a lived experience of keeping faith. What Paul is saying is that he has guarded and also passed on his faith so that others may live a life aimed at finishing the course! That is the message for us today. Fight the enemy of your soul, finish your course with the characteristics of Christ, and pass on your faith to others.

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