Finishing Well!

Acts 20:24 But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God. (NKJV).

For over 35 years as a Christian, through all the highs and lows I’ve been through, this thought is often in my mind – that I will last the distance, and finish my Christian living well! That I will be faithful and fruitful to the end! We’re remembered by how we finish. Finishing his race with joy was Paul’s objective. (See Hebrews 12:1, John 17:4, 2 Timothy 4:7, Luke 14:28).

Are we going to finish well? Will we last at the Christian life? Will we still be there, at the end of our life, in relationship with God? Sobering questions. The truth is there are many who don’t, won’t, and haven’t lasted the distance of life, they are out of the race. We probably all know of those who once ran well in the Christian life, maybe even served in a “full time” ministry capacity, but are now out of ministry and for all intents and purposes walking out of a living relationship with God.

Finishing well and strong does not necessarily mean finishing unblemished. Finishing well means finishing right! I’ve made some bad decisions fought some battles and faced some “life” that has left me blooded and wounded. But, by God’s mercy grace and healing, my amazing wife, and God’s people, He’s brought me back each time and I am still running “MY” race.

Here’s Four Keys to Finishing Well, distilled from my own walk over the years. They are basic non-negotiable COMMITMENTS, crucial to Finishing Well!

1. A Commitment to Regular Personal Devotions.

Isaiah 40:31 But those who wait on the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint. (NKJV).

It’s an old fashioned message; BUT! Without this in our life, we will run out of fuel because we need fuel stations along the way! And we are the ones who must build them! I also understand how hard this issue is. At certain points in our lives say with a busy job or young children, it is hard to “fit this in”. But with commitment and passion the rewards (and the Holy Spirit) are there!

All the great saints of old, the great leaders and missions statesmen and women of yesteryear, and all the great leaders of today who left and are leaving a Kingdom mark, have this characteristic in the lives, they guard and protect and will not negotiate on having a “quiet time”, their own personal devotions with the Lord. Personal Bible reading and Prayer is a foundation stone in the building that will stand the tests of time! I can’t do it for you, and you can’t do it for me.

Regular Personal Bible reading and Prayer is when we hear from God, because He speaks to us more often at that time. It’s when we read His living, life-giving, encouraging, emotional healing Word! It’s when we’re encouraged to think and act right. It’s when we meditate on and memorise His Word. It’s when we’re challenged about sin and find repentance and forgiveness. (See John 15:4, James 4:8).

2. A Commitment to the Word of God.

Ps 119:9 How can a young man stay pure? By reading Your Word and following its rules. (TLB).

If only as individuals and society we lived by the direction leading and boundaries of the Word of God, we wouldn’t have AIDS, unmarried mothers, STD’s, broken families, banks being robbed, the complexity of many counselling situations, the drug problem, people being done over, etc, etc.

We need an absolute steadfast unmoveable commitment to the Word of God. Let’s confess; “I will do what it says to do and I will not do what it says not to do”.

So let’s just do it! Amen! If the Bible says to pray, I will pray! If the Bible says to fast, tithe, work well for my boss, respect others, serve others, love my spouse, then that’s what I will do! If the Bible says “Do Not”; then I will not! Do not speak evil of others, then I will not speak evil of others. Do not take stuff from work, be overbearing on our children, mistreat our loved ones, then that’s what I will not do!

3. A Commitment to an Eternal View.

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. (NKJV).

When we’re running a race we’re focused on ONE THING; FINISHING! How much do we think about Heaven! You can’t finish something if you don’t know what the goal is, what the prize is, what is at the end of it all! This “vision” will certainly help us at the present time of economic shaking and uncertainty.

One day, (if Jesus is our Lord and Saviour) we will stand in heaven, and life as we know it will all be over. One day we will suddenly realise that we have been in glory, at the throne of God, lost in wonder love and grace, for a couple of trillion gizillion years. The eternal is more real then the temporal. The temporal prepares us for the eternal. But Heaven is coming. Those in Jesus will see it, those without Him will not. Get a fresh perspective on life. Life is short – Heaven is loooooooooooong!

4. A Commitment to a Friend and Friends.

Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend. (NKJV).

As human beings we are designed to live in relationship with other human beings! Surprise surprise! We can’t survive very long as a loner. Sooner or later something will get us. Some of us have to work hard at the relationship thing, others are always in their friends lives. Either way we need a close friend and close friends who will help us along the way to Finish Well!

The best friends and relationships you can have are those who will help you, challenge, guide, and encourage you to keep going in your Christian life, so that you WILL, Finish Well! Some friends and relationships will have to be left alone, we’ll need to stay away from inappropriate and dangerous relationships. Yes, some people can be that to us. A true friend keeps you running your Christian race well! As someone once said; “Friends are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly”.

Finishing Well matters! It is the best legacy we can leave. Therefore, Finish Well!