DON’T BE FOOLED BY THE FOG

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store 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 longed for His appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:7-8 NIV)

Don’t make the mistake of Florence Chadwick.  In 1952 she attempted to swim the chilly ocean waters between Catalina Island and the California shore.  She swam through foggy weather and choppy seas for fifteen hours.  Her muscles began to cramp, and her resolve weakened.  She begged to be taken out of the water, but her mother, riding in a boat alongside, urged her not to give up.  She kept trying but grew exhausted and stopped swimming.  Aids lifted her out of the water and into the boat.  They paddled a few more minutes, the mist broke, and she discovered the shore was less than a half mile away.  “All I could see was the fog,” she explained at a news conference.  “I think if I could have seen the shore, I would have made it.”

Take a long look at the shore that awaits you.  Don’t be fooled by the fog...  The finish may be only strokes away.  God may be, at this moment, lifting his hand to signal Gabriel to grab the trumpet.  Angels may be assembling, saints gathering, demons trembling.  Stay at it!  Stay in the water.  Stay in the race.  Stay in the fight.  Give grace, one more time.  Be generous, one more time.  Teach one more class, encourage one more soul, swim one more stroke. 

-- Max Lucado in “Facing Your Giants”

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PERSEVERANCE FINISHES THE JOB

“For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”  (2 Peter 1:5-8 NIV)

The word perseverance literally means “to bear up under.” It describes someone who remains steadfast in the face of severe trials, obstacles, and suffering. Perseverance is a never-give-up attitude, a commitment to move forward when everything is conspiring to hold you back. No matter what happens, you finish the job. Think of the English word itself: persevere. The prefix per conveys the idea of “through,” so perseverance is the ability to go through a severe time.

Perseverance turns ordeals into opportunities. It gives us the opportunity to finish what we begin, to outlast pain and sorrow, to strive until we accomplish things that are difficult, and to demonstrate God’s grace in all the seasons of life.

-- David Jeremiah in “Keep the Faith”

#5919

DISCIPLINE AND DISQUALIFICATION

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.”  (1 Corinthians 9:24-27 NKJV)

Part of discipline is doing things by the rules. The Christian needs to have a concern for any significant break in the discipline which would take them out of the opportunity to serve Christ and His Body for even a short period of time.

One of the most classic cases in the Olympics of disqualification occurred in the 1908 marathon. Having run through the streets, until finally he staggered into the stadium, falling four times as he made the oval around the stadium, he was finally helped across the finish line by some well-meaning members of his team. He was disqualified as the winner because he had been helped. He had won the race, but the rules had been broken.

There are people in the Christian life who think that the ends justify any means you use. Do anything as long as you get results. The Olympics are telling us that the means are as important as the ends. That disqualification ought to be a concern, and the training and discipline of the Christian life ought always to be part of our experience. 

– George O. Wood in a sermon titled “The Christian Olympian”

#5918

RUNNING THE RACE

The Olympic Games captivate the world with their spirit of excellence, discipline, and perseverance. Athletes train relentlessly, pushing their limits to achieve victory. As followers of Christ, we, too, are in a race -- a spiritual one. Let’s draw parallels between the Olympics and our faith journey.

The Starting Line: Commitment. Just as athletes commit to rigorous training, we commit to following Jesus. Our faith journey begins at the starting line -- the moment we say “yes” to Christ. “We do this by keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” (Hebrews 12:2)

Training and Endurance: Spiritual Discipline. Athletes endure grueling workouts, sacrificing comfort for excellence. Similarly, we train spiritually through prayer, Bible study, and fellowship. “I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:27)

The Race Course: Life Challenges. Life throws hurdles our way -- illness, loss, doubts. Just as athletes face obstacles, we encounter trials. And our own sin encumbers us and needs to be dealt with. But we keep running, knowing that God’s grace and our faith community sustain us. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1)

The Finish Line: Eternal Crown. Athletes strive for gold medals, but our goal is an imperishable crown. “Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” (1 Corinthians 9:25). When we cross the finish line -- our earthly life -- we’ll receive the ultimate reward: eternal life with Christ. “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)

Let’s run our race of faith with purpose, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Remember, just as Olympic athletes inspire us, our faith journey inspires others. Keep running with Jesus!

-- Compiled from a Variety of Sources

#5917

FINISHING WELL – Part 1 of 2

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”  (Hebrews 12:1-3 NIV)

The Christian life is a long-distance journey that requires a marathon mind-set. There are challenges and opportunities in following Christ. We need to finish well. There are two things we need to say about that.

First, no matter your age, you’re not dead yet! There is still time to write the story of your life and build a legacy. Who knows how long you have. Is it one year? Is it five? Is it twenty? Is it forty? You do not know how many days God has numbered for you.

As long as you have today, make it count. Don’t wait for some future to start living for Christ. Do so now. You belong to Him. So, given all that He has done for you, give yourself wholeheartedly to Him. Find the joy that is found in Christ today! Use what you have left for Christ and His kingdom. Persevere. Go the distance. By the power of the Holy Spirit, commit yourself today to live the rest of your days without regret. 

-- Adapted from “How to Finish the Christian Life: Following Jesus in the Second Half” by Donald W. Sweeting & George Sweeting

#5904

HOW TO FINISH WELL – Part 6 of 6

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off every encumbrance and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with endurance the race set out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.”  (Hebrews 12:1-3)

How do we finish well?... Those who finish well have a Christ-centered life,… a focused life,… a disciplined life,… a teachable spirit,… a well-networked life, and…

Sixth, along with all the other traits, those who finish well have what I call a lifelong perspective. They try to take the long view of life – to look at things with the end in mind. This is not to say they don’t at times become disoriented or tempted to launch out on detours. All of us do. But when tempted, certain life disciplines help them stay on course… There are multiple ways to think about life with your end in view. The point is, do something to get this perspective. It will keep you from being sidetracked and give you an enlarged perspective.

Each of these characteristics play a part in helping us finish well – by God’s grace, a Christ-centered life, a focused life, a disciplined life, a teachable life, a networked life, and a lifelong perspective. All play a part in our staying on track so we can finish our race. So that in the end we hear our Master say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:23a)

-- Adapted from Donald W. Sweeting and George Sweeting in “How to Finish the Christian Life: Following Jesus in the Second Half”

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HOW TO FINISH WELL – Part 4 of 6

How do we finish well?... First, those who finish well have a Christ-centered life… Second, those who finish well have a focused life… Third, those who end well have disciplined lives.

A fourth characteristic of those who finish well is that they have a teachable spirit through life. “Teachable” means that they maintain a humble posture and are open to receiving midcourse corrections. Those who finish well never stop doing this. They are life-long learners. They learn from reading, from watching and listening to others, and from life itself. This keeps them from plateauing. Paul was like this. At the very end of his life, in the closing request of his last letter, he says to Timothy, “When you come… also bring my books.” (2 Timothy 4:13 NLT). He was still learning and teachable, right to the very end.

-- Adapted from Donald W. Sweeting and George Sweeting in “How to Finish the Christian Life: Following Jesus in the Second Half”

#5621

HOW TO FINISH WELL – Part 3 of 6

How do we finish well?... First, those who finish well have a Christ-centered life… Second, those who finish well have a focused life…

Third, those who end well have disciplined lives. That’s the other side of being focused. To be focused, you have to eliminate the unnecessary.

To get this point across, the New Testament uses numerous athletic images. In 1 Corinthians 9, Paul pictures a runner. He said run in such a way that you may win. But then he added, “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things.” Therefore, he said, “I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified” (vv. 25-27 ESV). The writer to the Hebrews said, “Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Hebrews 12:1). He too is talking about discipline.

A Christian who finishes well will practices spiritual disciplines. As Dallas Willard, Richard Foster, and others have enumerated, there will be the disciplines of abstinence such a fasting, silence, solitude, frugality, sacrifice, and chastity. But there will also be the disciplines of engagement such as prayer, fellowship, worship, study, service, confession, and submission.

These will help guard our inner lives. The disciplines will not become an end in themselves. For they are really disciplines in response to God’s grace. Grace and discipline are spiritual friends, when kept in the right order. Spiritual disciplines become a means of grace that help us get to the finish line.

-- Adapted from Donald W. Sweeting and George Sweeting in “How to Finish the Christian Life: Following Jesus in the Second Half”

#5620

HOW TO FINISH WELL – Part 2 of 6

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith...”  (Hebrews 12:2 BSB)

How do we finish well?... First, those who finish well have a Christ-centered life…

Second, those who finish well have a focused life. They are focused first on Christ, but second on the task that He has given to us. Call this the “focus factor”! They not only know the purpose of life (to know, love, serve, and glorify the Lord), but they also know the purpose of their lives. They have an accurate understanding of the gifts He has given them, the call He has given them, and often even the specific assignments He has for them.

They have a focused life and not a scattered life. Most people live scattered lives. They do not know the purpose of life, or the purpose of their lives. By contrast, those who finish well have a clarity of purpose and a constancy of purpose…

The phrase from Paul “this one thing I do” (Philippians 3:13 KJV) is very important in my life. It became my motto. Paul said, ‘this one thing I do,” not “these fifty tings I dabble in.” That’s because he had a focused life rather than a scattered one. It’s characteristic of those who finish well.

-- Adapted from Donald W. Sweeting and George Sweeting in “How to Finish the Christian Life: Following Jesus in the Second Half”

#5619

HOW TO FINISH WELL – Part 1 of 6

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”  (2 Timothy 4:7 NIV)

How then do we finish well?... What does it take? Let’s start with grace. We finish well by the grace of God. That is also how we start the race. That is what keeps us in the race. And that is what takes us to the end. As John Newton put it in his famous hymn, “Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.”

When all is said and done, grace is the ultimate explanation for why any of us make it. We are kept by the grace of God. It is then very appropriate to pray, “Lord, give me the grace to finish well.”

From this foundation, there is more to be said. We have observed six characteristics of those who finish well.

First, those who finish well have a Christ-centered life. They know they are saved by Him, and they never get over it. He is their life source. He is the center of their affections. As Graham Kendrick put it in a more recent hymn, they know “there is no greater joy” than knowing Him. Consequently, they focus more on loving Christ than avoiding sins. They know that a vibrant personal relationship with Jesus and a daily walk with Him are essential to everything. He is the spring from which comes all spiritual fruit. He is the vine; we draw our life from Him. When we plateau in our spiritual lives, we must come back to Him and seek renewal. Why? Because Christ is “author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). 

-- Adapted from Donald W. Sweeting and George Sweeting in “How to Finish the Christian Life: Following Jesus in the Second Half”

#5618

FINISHING WELL

Those who end well have disciplined lives… To get to this point, the New Testament uses numerous athletic images. In 1 Corinthians 9:25-27, Paul pictures a runner. He said run in such a way that you win. But then he added, “Every athlete exercises self-control in all things.” Therefore he said, “I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” The writer of Hebrews said, “Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” (Hebrews 12:1) He too is talking about discipline.

A Christian who finishes well will practice spiritual disciplines… There will be the disciplines of abstinence such as fasting, silence, solitude, frugality, sacrifice, and chastity. But there will also be the disciplines of engagement such as prayer, fellowship, worship, study, service, confession, and submission.

These will help guard our inner lives. The disciplines will not become an end in themselves. For they are really disciplines in response to God’s grace. Grace and discipline are spiritual friends, when kept in the right order. Spiritual disciplines become a means of grace that help us get to the finish line. 

-- Donald W. Sweeting & George Sweeting in “How to Finish the Christian Life: Following Jesus in the Second Half”

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